Sure, why not? If there's no regulation to prevent it, why shouldn't anyone have the freedom to call home? I wouldn't mind if they made evryone turn off the ringer though. Not allowing cell phones on planes has been, until recently, a safety issue. They were not allowed because there was concern that the transimisstions could interfere with the operational electronics of the plane. Now they knwo that there is no safety issue. The FAA has the power to regulate cell phones for safety considerations. It does not have the power to regulate cell phones because some people are annoyed. Once these regs are written, it will becaome the airline's responsibility to speak to passengers who become annoying. That is a huge difference between LIRR and a plane. There are flight attendants on planes and part of their job is to keep annoyances to a minimum. Most people who use cell phones are not annoying, and understand how many others feel. Why should I be restricted from calling my wife to say I love you or tell my kids goodnight at bed time because some uncaring nut job annoyed you on a train? How is that my fault? I don't know much about riding LIRR, but If someone annoys you with non-stop talking with or without a cell phone, speak to the attendants. Edit: When I first answered this question I made one assumtion. based on the wording of the question itself. The assumption was that the FAA had changed their stance on cell phone interference with aviation electronics. You also stated that the FAA was "writing regs that will permit cell phone use on airplanes" and I assumed that was correct. Assuming that is correct, it's not a great leap to also assume that the FAA must have deemed them safe. A lot of assuming I know. Well the question now is: is this true? Is the FAA writing regs to allow cell phones on planes? The following link will lead to a pdf document from the FAA dated 8/25/06 that seems to make it clear they are not. If it is so that the FAA is not planning to allow cell phone use during flight, then I guess all our opinions on this question are moot for now. Take a look at it and judge for yourself. Am I reading it wrong? I'd like to know if I am. The document does indicate they were considering allowance at one time. The reasons given are related to events surrounding 911. It's really very interesting and may even change quite a few opinions. http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/B5C85AE8E38DF676862571DA00529DA4?OpenDocument&Highlight=use%20of%20cell%20phones Edit2 No I don't work for a cell phone company. my IQ is well over 100 (I'm not bragging cause I have nothing to do with it being that high, and frankly I did pretty poorly in school) yet I don't have a problem with cell phone use anywhere unless it poses dangerous distractions. I'm not saying I never get annoyed when people yammer for hours on them, I just don't let it get to me. Besides, I firmly believe that annoying people are annoying with or without their cell phones. And I like to use mine whenever and wherever it is allowed. But then, I don't annoy people with mine. Believe me, I totally understand the annoyance factor. Used to be a guy who came into my workplace daily with his headset making deals loud enough for all to hear and wouldn't even stop when he got to the cashier. Very rude. But would I want a sign on the door saying no one can use a cell phone inside? No! Because I would like to. I'm willing to put up with a little to get a little. But, like I said. I've never been on the LIRR. If I rode it daily, I might feel differently. I think it's all relative. Edit: The rating on this answer is absolute B.S.! The question asked for an opinion. The opinion was given. The asker then asked me to defend my opinion, which I did. This answer deserves better than a "somewhat useful". If the aswer is the one who rated this, why are you asking for opinions, if you don't want to hear them?

Sorry, I don't recall my source. But I read the FAA piece that you refered me to. It seems that the FAA held that cell phones are not presently permissible during flight. I am glad to have read this. But that is the present policy. What I heard was that the FAA is in the process of writing regs. Not that they have laready written a final product. Tell me the truth: do you work for a cell phone or cell phone related company? I can tell that you are pretty smart -- but no one else I know with an IQ over 100 favors cell phone use in restuarants or public conveyances.