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A call to action: ban in-flight cell phone usage
 This is a call to action!
The Association of Flight Attendants - CWA is urging members of Senate to ensure that a ban on in-flight cellular telephone usage is included in any FAA Reauthorization legislation that passes out of the Senate, just like the U.S. House of Representatives did in H.R.915, the FAA Reauthorization Bill.
Cell phone usage in the cabin would create a new security risk, compromise your job of safely executing an emergency evacuation, and ability to maintain order within the cabin amongst cabin noise and tension.
Please help us by taking a moment and clicking here to send a message to your Senators, mandating them to pass a cell phone ban.
Take action now!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Include a ban on in-flight cell phone usage in the FAA Reauthorization Bill
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a constituent, a flight attendant and member of the Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, I am writing to strongly urge you to ban cellular phone use during flight. The U.S. House of Representatives included a ban in the 2009 FAA Reauthorization Bill, H.R. 915 and I urge you to show support for the nation's flight attendants by also passing an airline cell phone ban in the U.S. Senate.
As a flight attendant I can tell you that in-flight use of cellular technology for voice communications makes it difficult for me to perform my primary duty, ensuring passenger safety. Already I compete for passengers' attention with cell phones during boarding. In the event of an emergency cabin preparations would be hindered by passengers attempting to use their phones rather than paying attention to my safety information which could be vital for their survival. Videos posted on YouTube demonstrate that cell phones and their usage distract passengers during in-flight emergencies.
Cell phone conversation noise will also be an annoyance to other airline passengers and flight crews alike. Currently cellular conversations onboard, which are permitted prior to departure and after landing as the plane taxis into the gate, tend to be loud. Passengers compete with both the flight attendant safety announcement and aircraft engine noise. If cellular phones are permitted during all phases of flight it will certainly disturb passengers trying to sleep, read, or prepare for a business meeting before arrival.
Permitting cell phones on board US flights will make my job more difficult. Flight attendants will need to police the cabin asking passengers to please 'tone it down' because they are disturbing their fellow passengers.
In addition, cellular phone use in flight poses a threat to airline security. The September 11 terrorists demonstrated their ability to mount a coordinated attack against U.S. commercial aviation. Cellular technology would make any future attack more deadly by allowing terrorists to communicate in real time. A terrorist in the front of the cabin could easily notify others when the cockpit door was vulnerable or when the flight attendants in a specific area of the cabin have been incapacitated. Not only could this technology allow terrorists within one aircraft cabin the ability to communicate discreetly, terrorist cells on multiple planes could coordinate and simultaneously commence attacks.
Flight attendants are not the only ones opposed to in-flight cell phone usage. A 2005 survey conducted by the National Consumer League and AFA showed that 63% of airline passengers are 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 on board aircraft.
The US House of Representatives has taken the first step by including a cell phone ban in the FAA Reauthorization Bill, as a constituent I urge you to do the same.
Sincerely,
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