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The House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to ban the use of cell phones in-flight permanently last week.
The Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace (or Hang Up) Act, introduced earlier this year by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), aims to eliminate noisy chatter caused by those gabbing on their phones. In-flight texting, internet use and e-mail on airplanes would not be affected.
"With airline customer satisfaction at an all time low, this is not the time to consider making airplane travel even more torturous," said DeFazio in a press statement.
In the midst of the hearing, voice of reason Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) complained that Congress was attempting "to legislate courtesy...and that just doesn't work."
The bill will move to the House floor for voting when Congress returns from summer recess.
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Colin August 4, 2008 2:47 PM
Isn't it already forbidden to use cell phones on airplanes anyway?
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