In-flight cell phone usage inches closer

Josh Roberts believes the best trips involve long hikes and muddy boots. His life goals haven't changed much since he was a kid: He still wants to be Indiana Jones when he grows up.

Follow him on Twitter (@joshwhowrites) and Instagram (@joshwhowrites), and visit his website (joshrobertsbooks.com) or Goodreads page to learn more about his forthcoming novel.

Josh joined SmarterTravel in 2001, and is an active member in both the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

In addition to SmarterTravel, he has written for USA Today, The Boston Globe, Yahoo! Travel, The Huffington Post, Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor, Jetsetter, ABC News, Oyster, and Business Insider. His travel photography can be seen in Britain and Ireland's Best Wild Places, published by Penguin UK.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A lacrosse ball. It's small, lightweight, and works wonders on loosening up tight muscles."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Being the first to discover an ancient lost city. Failing that, visiting as many of the already-discovered ancient ruins as possible."

Travel Motto: "Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle."

See recent posts by Josh Roberts

“Airplanes are the next frontier for the wireless industry,” according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, with a “new technical report [making] it more likely that the U.S. government will rescind the cell phone ban on commercial flights.” This comes on the heels of Dubai-based carrier Emirates’ claim that it will become the world’s first passenger airline to allow in-flight cell phone calls by early February.

To which I have to ask: Does anyone really want this to happen? I thought we already established that this is a bad idea.

I mean, really. Put the phone down and read a book, people. The last thing I want to deal with from the person sitting next to me is listening to a cell phone conversation.

Now, in-flight Wi-Fi … that I’m all for. But ixnay on the cell phones.

Seriously.

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