Cell Phones on Airliners … One Man’s Plan to Fight Back

Now that American Airlines announced they’ll be testing an on-board Wi-Fi Internet service with AirCell beginning next year, can on-board cell phone usage be far behind? Imagine the fun as we all get to listen in on one more person who thinks they need to yell into their cell phone to be heard.

But for once, I’m not going to wait until airline travel becomes even more excruciating than it already is.

I’m taking matters into my own hands with a promise – no make that a guarantee – that anyone who flies next to me on an airliner should know about before they even think of calling the office to talk about some damn deal or ring their girlfriend about how way cool the concert was.

I’m calling my system iPod Payback,(patent pending of course). Consider this note advanced warning to all who may choose to challenge what little peace and quiet there is left aboard an airliner.

The Windup

My personal cell-phone defense mechanism demands only three major components … my iPod Shuffle attached to my big geeky BOSE headphones and me.

Here’s how it works.

First we need a victim, in this case me as a passenger in my favorite row 12 – not too much engine noise and less than 20 minutes to get off the airplane after landing.

Then we need a victimizer. That would be anyone crazy enough to start babbling on their cell phone while I’m close enough to hear.

The system is simple. They talk and I talk, sort of. First I pull my iPod and headphones from the bag.

Next, I carefully plant the headphones on my head in such a way that there is little or no chance I’ll be able to hear anything anyone says once I crank it up.

Now, with my neighbor carefully explaining the night before to everyone in the cabin, none of whom of course care, I push the button and my iPod comes to life. I carefully select a tune certain to demand high screechy notes from my voice … and I begin.

An Action-Packed Finale

Within seconds of cranking up the volume on some Rolling Stones classic, “I see the red door and I want it painted BLACK!” the anti-chaos begins. 

Nearby passengers are certain to tumble to the floor in pain as I sing in the key of M. Since I’ll have my BOSE tightly pressed to my ears, I will of course hear none of this, and will go on singing.

“HAYYYY JUDE. DON’T MAKE IT BAD. TAKE A SAD SONG AND MAKE IT BETTER.”

With dozens of other passengers crying in agony over my rendition of a Lennon/McCartney masterpiece, the noise should be sufficient to force any cell phone user to abandon their call over the rudeness of their cabin mates.

That’s when I get the thumbs-up signal from the lady in row 7 and turn off the iPod.

I repeat this process, as needed, until all local cellphone usage is terminated or a fellow passenger throws my iPod or someone’s cellphone at the cabin bulkhead. I will, of course, have also formed previous alliances with parents of small screaming children to assist me as needed to help rid the cabin of cell phone callers.

Note: These rules of engagement would be completely unnecessary aboard a business aircraft where people respect each other’s privacy.

Technorati tags: cellphone, airline, Wi-Fi, iPod, business+aviation, jetwhine, Lennon and McCartney