Poll: Regular fliers say cell phone silence is golden

To: Government regulators considering allowing cell phone use during airline flights

From: The flying public.

Message: Don’t do it.

A new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows strong opposition to lifting the ban on airborne cell phone use – 68 percent for keeping the ban; 29 percent against. The finding represents the opinion of adult Americans who fly on airlines at least occasionally. Women and fliers 50 or older are the most strongly inclined to keep airliner cabins free of cell phone chatter.

Cell phone use is banned once the cabin doors are closed for takeoff. Some airlines allow calls once a flight has touched down and is taxiing to the gate. The Federal Communications Commission last month took a first step toward letting fliers chat on phones during flights, authorizing a review of the ban.

Also involved is the Federal Aviation Administration, which is concerned that wireless devices could hinder navigation and communications systems. Airlines, meanwhile, question whether cellular service could be provided profitably. Any policy change could be years away.

Many frequent fliers view their time in the sky as their only downtime on a hectic business trip. The absence of cell phones increases the odds that they’ll be able to nap, read or think. Others chafe at the enforced downtime and yearn to put it to use with phone calls.

Michael Latkovich, 40, of Boynton Beach, Fla., is among those who cringe at the thought of a cacophony of chatter, ring tones and travelers out-talking seatmates.

“Such competition on a plane at 33,000 feet is begging for trouble,” says Latkovich. “It could get ugly very quickly.”

Some fliers say that most chats they overhear now upon landing don’t warrant disturbing their peace.

But retired police officer Joe Sylvia of Warwick, R.I., 53, an occasional flier, says he wouldn’t mind if cell phone chatter were allowed.

“Whether it’s a crying baby or somebody on a phone, it wouldn’t bother me,” says Sylvia, 53.