Rep. Capito: Ban Cell Phone Calls on Planes

Press Release

U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has cosponsored a bipartisan bill to ban in-flight cell phone calls on domestic commercial flights.

H.R. 3676, the Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act, would ban the use of mobile devices for audible calls during the in-flight portion of domestic commercial flights. It would exempt on-duty flight crew members, flight attendants and federal law enforcement officials acting in an official capacity.

Flying can tax even the most patient traveler, and most fliers want their flights to be quick, comfortable and quiet. Allowing cell phone calls on commercial airlines will create more stressful conditions for travelers forced to listen to invasive conversations. It will also impede the ability of flight crews to focus on their crucial safety responsibilities by forcing them to referee disputes among passengers over loud cell phone calls.

"Passengers should be able to use their phones and wireless devices for text messaging or working online, but keeping our cabins call-free will result in more civil and comfortable conditions for all."

H.R. 3676 is sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and is cosponsored by 20 additional members of Congress. The bill's introduction comes as the Federal Communications Commission considers changing the current ban on cell phone calls on commercial planes during flight.

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