Keep the Peace! Tell Your Representative to Co-Sponsor the "Hang Up Act!"

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As a constituent, a flight attendant and member of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) - CWA, I am writing to strongly urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 5788. The Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace Act (HANG UP Act), introduced by Representative Peter DeFazio, would prohibit in-flight cell phone conversations. This legislation is imperative because the European Commission has announced that it will allow passengers to use cell phones during flight and many believe the United States will quickly follow suit.

As a flight attendant, I understand the full ramifications of permitting cell phones to be used on board. Cell phone conversations will be an annoyance to passengers and flight crew alike. As you are probably aware cell phone conversations tend to be loud (especially over the noise of airplane engines) and will surely disturb passengers trying to sleep, read, or prepare for a business meeting before arrival. In fact, according to a 2005 poll conducted on behalf of the National Consumer League and AFA 63% of airline passengers opposed allowing cell phone use on airplanes. In short, the vast majority of airline passengers agree that it is a bad idea to permit cell phones aboard aircraft.

Furthermore, permitting cell phones on board US flights will make the job of flight attendants more difficult. Just imagine flight attendants going throughout the cabin asking passengers to please 'tone it down' because they are disturbing their fellow passengers. In addition, flight attendants will have a difficult time presenting the safety procedures of the aircraft while passengers on the plane have cell phones to their ears. Remember, flight attendants are there primarily for the safety of passengers, not to monitor cell phone conversations.

Passengers will still be allowed to talk on cell phones before departure and after landing. Also, passengers will still be permitted to use in-seat telephones. In short, the bill simply codifies the current prohibition of cell phone use on board commercial airline flights (domestic and international).

Once again, as a concerned flight attendant and constituent, I urge you to cosponsor the HANG UP Act, H.R. 5788. With today's air travel being already incredibly hectic, cell phones will only add to the stresses of flying. Please help keep the peace on our airplanes.