Let’s put aside the security arguments but on  from a purely social perspective, should the skies be Phone free? Or at least phone call free?

Most planes are wi-fi equipped these days and most phones have apps that give them the ability to make phone calls over wi-fi. This means that no longer is the sky a place of absolute serenity where no person can be reached by phone. While the subway system in New York is experimenting with wi-fi, that too used to be a Phone Free safe haven.

There is used to be a certain serenity on board of an aircraft. Nobody was blabbering on the phone and in fact people took the time to acquaint themselves with the person sitting near of them instead of furthering their incessant relationship with their screen.

Another point to consider is that people on aircraft (and subways) sit in quite close quarters to each other. It is rather uncomfortable for all on board when one person is having  a loud conversation. It is not as intrusive when a person is texting or emailing, unless of course he is of the type that wants to have the sound effects of the phone on full sound effects.

There is no doubt that wi-fi is a huge advantage to have on flights. Business people rely on the ability to respond to e-mails and parents rely on keeping their toddlers calm with their favorite youtube sensation but perhaps there should  be a ban on phone calls.

Truth be told, whether we like it or not, phones have become a huge part of our lives. While many will call it an addiction, others will call it a dependency. There is no doubt that one of the most influential devices of the last two decades has been the mobile phone. The question is, maybe we should keep the skies phone call free.

The post Should the Skies Be Phone Free? appeared first on ElJet's Private Aviation Blog.