Reps. Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) cosponsored the Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act of 2013 on Friday.
The measure was introduced in response to an FCC announcement that it would review the ban on the use of cell phones to make calls in the cabins of commercial flights.
Miller said that air travel can be a “nerve wracking” experience and the cabins of airplanes can be crowded, noisy environments without passengers making calls.
“There is nothing wrong (with) using a phone, tablet or laptop to perhaps get some work done during a flight in accordance to the new Federal Aviation Administration rule, but it is quite another for individuals to be able to bother others while carrying on loud conversations during the flight time,” Miller said. “This bill would keep commonsense and courtesy for others at the forefront for every passenger during air travel by keeping the ban on cell phone calls during commercial flights.”
On-duty flight crews, flight attendants and federal law enforcement officers would be exempt from the measure.
“Flying can tax even the most patient traveler, and most fliers want their flights to be quick, comfortable and quiet,” Capito said. “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.”