FCC to Consider Allowing Cell Phone Calls In-Flight

Making a cell phone call while aloft could become a reality under a proposal by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

Cell phone calls, texting and other mobile services would be allowed when the aircraft are flying above 10,000 feet, but not during takeoff and landing, according to an official briefed on the proposal.

Airlines would have to equip planes with special antennas approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration before passengers could start talking.

The commission says this proposal aims to give airline passengers the same communication access in the air that they have on trains and buses or in coffee shops.

The host of "Techbytes," Brett Larson, comments that he would prefer sitting next to a screaming child with an ear infection than a chatty Kathy on the phone for hours.

“Surprisingly, there's been a backlash already in the less than 12 hours that it's been since they said this,” Larson says, starting from a petition on the White House to the Flight Attendants Union and business people who have expressed opposition.