Are the Airlines Bugging You?

Ironically, I was somewhat relieved to learn that toxic cabin air on aeroplanes could be the culprit making many of us sick.  It explains a lot.  I have become ill several times after flying, and always blamed it on other passengers spreading their germs.  Now that pilots and cockpit/cabin crew are complaining about how the toxic air is affecting their job performance perhaps something will be done about it.  It may be that some people are more susceptible than others or those subjected to constant exposure suffer more.  My travelling companion never seems to get sick, but I suffer with various allergies and appear to be more vulnerable.  

Now that one problem associated with flying has been identified it seems we are about to be bugged by another… Maybe I am mistaken, but it seems to me that most of the opinions I have heard - and seen posted on the internet - have been vehemently against allowing mobile phones on planes.  It appears that Ofcom will be giving the go ahead for the use of mobile phones on aircraft registered in the UK during flights within European airspace.  The reason for this can only be down to one thing - the airlines and mobile phone companies stand to make a bundle of money out of it!  It might be nice if they conducted a survey of the flying public to find out how we feel before going ahead.

Given the choice, I think I’d prefer to breathe contaminated air and take my chances rather than have to endure flights listening to the inane and unnecessary conversations of those around me.  Mobile phones will still have to be switched off for take off and landing, but for the duration of the flight it is likely to be a cacophony of endless, “Hi, yes, I’m calling you from the plane. What are you doing?  How are the kids?”  If the connections are not good the same will be repeated over and over.  Where will it end?  The next thing will be mobile phones on long-haul flights.  Most people want to sleep, read or rest on long flights - don’t they?  

Perhaps, by a strange twist of fate, this will be the environmental activists’ dream come true. The airline industry itself may eventually turn passengers against flying - what with the chaos of the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5, delayed and lost luggage, delays at security, and constant threats of strikes by various airline staff.  If the hassles associated with flying become much worse many of us may give it up as a bad job and just have our holidays at home, or hop across the Channel by train, car or ferry.  Gone will be the days of worrying about avoiding the screaming baby section on planes because there will be no peace and quiet or escape from the noise no matter which section you’re in!

This entry was posted on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Airlines, Travel News .

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