Photo by Danielle Scruggs
Last month, the Federal Communications Commission said they will consider allowing cell phone use during flights. At least one person who works at the Wilson Building is not happy about that: Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large).
While he may have his hands full trying to push his plans to turn RFK Stadium into an epic, extravagant sports and entertainment complex, Orange found time to introduce a resolution that would discourage using cell phones in planes while in the air. It is very appropriately titled “Sense Of The Council Discouraging In-flight Cell Phone Calls Resolution Of 2013.”
The resolution would “discourage the Federal Communications Commission (‘FCC’) from approving any proposals that would allow passengers to make cell phone calls on airlines while in-flight.” It cites a number of reasons why it’s not a good idea for people to make phone calls during flights, including possible interference to mobile ground networks, allowing terrorists to communicate easier and/or trigger explosive devices, and, uh, causing further “anxiety and apprehension” for passengers. “The anxiety and apprehension of many airline passengers could further be heightened by allowing in-flight cell phone calls as passengers would be subjected to the conversations of neighboring passengers in close proximity and with no options to remove themselves,” resolutions states.
Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) co-sponsored the resolution, because why the heck not. The essentially meaningless resolution now heads to the Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs committee.
You can read the whole thing here.
