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Current Events
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FCC says ‘no’ to in-flight cell phone use
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced in mid-April it will no longer pursue allowing in-flight cell phone use by airline passengers. The agency had been investigating the issue but decided to stop pursuing it, due to “insufficient technical information” on potential interference issues.
Unlike the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which bans in-flight cell phone use on the basis of potential interference with navigational and communications systems, the FCC’s decision took into account support from the cell phone industry that current cellular network systems on the ground would be negatively impacted by increased interference.
The cell phone industry is concerned because, unlike cell phones on the ground that connect with a single tower at a time, cell phones used from 30,000 feet could connect with multiple towers and jam circuits.
While the major reasons for this continued ban are technology-based, another significant deterrent are the social implications, evidenced by the fact that the FCC has received more than 8,100 comments from passengers concerned about the detrimental effects in-flight cell phone use would have on their air travel. One comment: “Please, for the sanity of the majority of air passengers who do not want to hear cell phone conversations in the air, and to avoid confrontations between passengers, do not allow this practice to begin.”
The FCC may revisit the issue in coming years, though any conclusion reached would be subject to FAA rules and policies.
Sources: The New York Times, Seattle Times, CNN.com
Business travelers are increasingly taking the family
Today’s technology keeps employees more connected than ever to their work, often making it difficult to draw the line between their professional and personal lives. Many companies are responding to this need to balance work and family by being more flexible about letting business travelers take family members along on business trips. In fact, the National Business Travel Association reported that 62 percent of U.S. business travelers have grouped leisure with a business trip.
Among those who mix business and leisure are single parents, women with demanding jobs and even two-income families who simply want to travel when some expenses, such as hotel nights, are paid by their employer.
Policies on taking family on business trips vary by employer, and many organizations require employees to sign liability waivers. Regardless of company policy, business travelers should alert their supervisor beforehand and set clear boundaries with their family about times they need to dedicate to work.
Sources: The Associated Press, Los Angeles Times
