| Cell Phones Fly to New Heights
Business Travelers Report Top Annoyances When in the Air
The Signal - Business Section, February, 2006
If there is one thing business travelers from around the world can agree on, it is the absence of cell phones on flights. Just say no to in-air calls is the consensus of the savvy travelers from 12 countries recently surveyed in an international travel study commissioned by Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
More than half of those polled said cell phone use in-flight would be annoying. While cell phones are still prohibited during flights, the technology is there and within the year a couple of European airlines plan to introduce this added service to passengers. And it’s only a matter of time before it reaches the US.
According to the study, it seems that European business travelers are even more opposed to phone chatter than their American colleagues. But honestly, who really wants to sit on a flight of any duration in close proximity and listen to a one-sided conversation. Personal or professional, calls should be kept private whenever possible.
As it is now, travelers are able to keep electronic devices up and running while the plane is resting on the tarmac before takeoff and again as soon as the wheels touch the ground and while taxing to the gate. Many people use this opportunity to catch up with friends and family, close business deals, or make dinner reservations in the city they are visiting. The immediate response of many travelers, business or not, upon touching down after a flight is to turn on the phone and start dialing. Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should when it comes to phone use on airplanes.
Look at the movie theater as an example of managing cell phone etiquette. They use an entertaining video clip to politely ask us to turn off our phones during the show. And we do. Many waiting rooms at professional offices also post signs telling visitors to turn off their phones or at least switch to vibrate. Restaurants are following the lead of asking for phone etiquette by offering phone or no-phone seating sections
Also uncovered in this survey of business travelers, top annoyances vary by region. Crying babies bug those traveling in the Asia-Pacific area. Don’t bother a Brazilian during a flight; they can’t stand when passengers do this. And if you’re storing your carry-on luggage in the overhead bin, make sure it’s located in the row above you, not far forward from your seat. North Americans are really annoyed if you do it any other way. The majority of these road-weary business travelers agreed that vacationers were not a source of irritation.
As far as the overall airport experience goes, security lines ranked the leading cause of frustration and negativity for business travelers. Not surprising, flight delays are next on the list of aggravating airport situations.
It’s always interesting to learn what people think about travel. These findings from the business travelers surveyed reflect a global attitude about air travel, and etiquette. Our love affair with technology, in particular with our cell phone, PDA, Blackberry and Treo, has risen to new heights. Literally, flying high with our phone attached to our ear seems to be the next step to the constant use on the ground. Where will it stop?
If the travelers surveyed have any impact on the future, perhaps the end will be at the gate. Passengers will jointly agree that enough is enough and self-regulate their cell phone use while in the air. It’s really the only polite thing to do anyway. Just say no to cell phone use and have a nice flight.
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
