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Texan arrested for mobile calls on aircraft
We're slowly starting to see more stories of airline crews getting fed up and kicking people off flights for using their mobile phones, but none are as controversial as this.A Texas businessman named Joe Jones was recently arrested following a Southwest Airlines flight on which he refused to get off of his phone prior to landing. Flight attendants had repeatedly asked the man to stop the conversation and turn off his mobile, receiving a "kiss my ass" in return each time they asked. Frustrated, they had state police meet him at the gate, where he continued to make a ruckus.
As his spokesman later explained, however, Jones had just received word that his father's heart had stopped beating and was wildly trying to contact the hospital. Given the life and death situation, he felt it necessary to make the phone calls.
And I can empathize with that situation -- if I knew that my parents were gravely ill and had to call the hospital, I can totally see how I would be trying to call the doctor in panic. My questions are as follows: how did Jones get the message in the first place? Was he on the plane with his phone on when a text came in or did he get the call before he boarded? And isn't interfering with an aircraft landing with your mobile phone signal also a life and death situation?
What strange things have been found on planes?
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 10)
JK May 14th 2008 3:57PM
I can sympathze with him. My mom was in intensive care step down and dying. The night nurse told us all to get out because there was too many of us. We are a large family and each of us were greiving and wanted to be there.So there for none of us were there when she passed. The day shift nurse told us we could all stay as long as we wanted after she had already passed.There are some caring people and some pretty ignorant people in all professions.
Bobby J May 14th 2008 3:56PM
I am glad the airlines enforce this rule. I don't know if the phones can interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft, but rude obnoxious phone addicts who think I really care about there conversation, usually about nothing importatnt, interfere with the comfort of other passengers on the plane. If you are so important that you must have phone contact 24/7, you should be able to charter a private plane or have someone else conduct business for you. Cell phones are too cheap. They should cost at least $500 and air time should be so expensive that BS conversations would be cost prohibitive.
Alice May 14th 2008 3:58PM
Putting aside what anyone feels about this individual's behavior, can anyone tell me: is there any study or evidence that supports (or refutes) the idea that cellular and/or electronic devices can interfere with a plane's electrical or guidance systems? If so, can you please provide a cite to the study or evidence. Thanks
Joe May 14th 2008 3:58PM
Living in the big city, I ride trains and buses frequently. First let me say that I have no problem with a quick, "yeah, ok I'm on my way, see you at nine, bye." Fine. No problem. But these people who yak on and on and ON, really loudly, often using swear words really bother me (and a lot of other people too) and need to shut up. But they won't do that. After all THEIR conversation is much more important than simple common courtesy. My conversation can't wait five minutes till I'm off the bus. Deal with it. Which brings me to my point....
www.phonejammer.com
This is the best 200 bucks I've ever spent. Now, when one of these self absorbed, I want it NOW, I'm so important that my conversation can't wait types forces their rudeness on the rest of us, I simply flick the switch and the problem is solved!
Ray May 14th 2008 3:59PM
NO ARROGANT BAST@#$S ON CELL PHONES ON AIRPLANES- NEVER!!!
ron May 14th 2008 4:02PM
I fly SWA 2 to 3 times a month. The flight crew is always nice and also business like. They don't set the rules they have to try and inforce them. Give them a break. Everyone has a job to do.
R. Satoloe May 14th 2008 4:08PM
If we think about it, using our minds, there are honest reasons rules are made.
No, Rules are Not Made To Be Broken, possibly rules are made to protect us.
Applies to those who don't stop on red to make their right turn.
Personally in a, nothing can be done right at the moment situation, while on a flight, I'd rather Land A LIVE than join my elderly parent through those Pearly Gates or where many Others, deservingly, will end with Eternity.
Not meaning to sound antagonistic in all due respect.
Catman May 14th 2008 4:39PM
Airlines use a combination of ground based signals and satellite for navigation. Neither of these have been proven to have an issue with cell signals. I've inadvertently left my phone on many times. If this was really a problem, there would be more than just a quick announcement about turning off phones. Its more about not annoying your neighbor with a call. I feel bad for this guy if his father was truly dying but the flight attendants were only upholding the FAA rules...not the airline rules. He could have been nicer about it.
lindee May 14th 2008 4:06PM
Don't you just loooove people who think rules are for other people? Bust and ban his ass.
There's A Reason May 14th 2008 4:06PM
Whether or not people know them or, even if they know them but don't like them, there are reasons for rules. There are certain times and places a person can't use a cellphone, can't smoke, can't drink alcohol, can't undress, or can't urinate - to name a few. One may disagree with or lobby against unpopular, inconvenient, or obsolete rules, but one must follow them while they are in effect. That is what makes for a civilized society rather than licentious anarchy. Don't like it? Then relocate to somewhere else where you can be absolute monarch and make all the rules, yourself.
Dick May 14th 2008 4:06PM
This was not an emergency that could not have waited until the plane had landed safely. This person was basically an arrogent southern ass, who deserved to have his ass kissed with the boot of a police officer. By the way there is the very same type of person in the white house now, who could use the same treatment upon his leaving.
Robert May 15th 2008 5:57AM
Bill, you are a moron! A rude selfish moron I might add.
You are one of those "I have rights and the He__ with everybody else." YOU, are what is wrong with this country, you and other idiots like you. It is all about me! That is your mantra. Well, guess what? The rest of us have rights too, jerk!
agthigpen May 14th 2008 4:14PM
The old analog phones did absolutely disrupt the autopilot, at least the S-Tec 60 series. The signal would place the airplane in a dive. The digital phones are much higher frequency and lower power, and likely wouldn't have the same effect.
The real issue on any airplane, private or commercial is that the pilot and crew have absolute authority and responsibility to the safety and order of a flight. Arrogance from a passenger will not be tolerated on one of my flights. This guy is likely a jerk, regardless of his excuse.
There are approved phones available for use in airliners if there is a call important enough.
Bob D May 14th 2008 4:15PM
It was wrong to respond like that , but I also heard somewhere that he faa was considering lifting the ban on cell phone use on flights and the only reason they had it on to begin with was out of consideration to other passengers. How can we explain the skyphone being ok...oh I guess it's because tey charge 1.00 / minut for that. Theydon't have any problem with me using the skyphone to order stuff from the skymall while the plane is in the air.
kcur64 May 14th 2008 5:05PM
The few minutes it would have taken to land the plane and de-board would not have made any difference to the ill family member. This guy was an jerk...and I guarantee you he shouldn't be allowed to drive his car while talking on the phone if his public display on the play is any indication of his persona.
Don't like the rules, pal...take the bus.
DirkF May 14th 2008 4:17PM
I vote with the "no cellphones on airplanes!" group.
In the saloons of the old west, they made guys (and gals) check their 6-shooters before entering. There was a reason for this (you figure it out). I vote for doing the same thing with cellphones on airlines. Mostly for the same reason. When a lot of people start loud, incessant, ridiculous drivel on a long flight, it's going to be like the saloons of old when 'ole Joe' insulted 'Blackies wife'. It's sure to end in broken noses and bent seat trays. Isn't this just what we've all been waiting for!??
And, by the way, where in heavens name did all these cell phone 'experts' come from in this blog? My God, every second person seems to claim a PhD in wireless telephony at 30,000 feet. It's time to puncture that dream.: You instant experts; stay within your limits ... plleeeease.
BC May 14th 2008 5:39PM
"Kiss my ass?" Sounds like someone should kick his ass.
al May 14th 2008 4:18PM
I'm sorry but he could have waited until the plane landed. I know after hearing bad news it is hard to keep rational but you can wait to hear about the news after the plane has landed. It's not like you can accomplish or resolve anything on the phone.
richard mitchell May 14th 2008 4:25PM
There are lots of places I would like to fly to, and I have the money to go,I remember when flying was a pleasurable experience, however because of the snotty,crabby and overbearing service personel who love to enforce "rules" that have no bearing on safety of flight,and who wish to sit more and serve less, exert their absolute authority by threatening to have you locked up if you dislike the "meal" and voice your opinion about it (this happened to me on continental airlines) and although security is necessary because of some religious morons who killed a lot of our people, I can't stomach the totally inept job they do as far as moving folks through thier lines example, Orlando Fla. sooo the whole experience has turned into a gestapo supervised bus ride that doesn't leave or arrive on time. I fly only when it is an absolute necessity. thank you airline industry for turning the american flying experience into one that is only matched by a trip to the drivers liscense office.
Bob Waite May 14th 2008 4:54PM
There is no chance whatever that using a cell phone on a plane will cause a crash. However, I think he ought to be taken to task for his rudeness, bad language and violating rules, no matter how stupid the rules. The airline has a right to allow or disallow cell phones. Cursing and fuming are not the sign of someone concerned about their father, but of a self-centered egotistical childish person who always expects to get their own way.