For once in a while, it's me in the news, but not quite how I wanted it... Phones on planes


Interview with the Age newspaper misquotes my relationship with Ansett Australia.

While I've been watching the various stories about the internet becoming increasingly available on aircraft, I've also been contemplating the changes I've seen to mobile phone use.

In the US, one has been able to use one's own phone until pushback, and on landing during taxiing to the gate. That situation has now been replicated in Australia, since we can safely assume the pilots can navigate visually to the gate without much chance of getting lost.

Last week, I was interviewed by leading broadsheet, the Melbourne Age, about what conditions might arise if cell phone use is permitted during a flight.

The journalist had used Google to search for a local psychologist with knowledge of either air rage or flight anxiety. The search engine threw me up. Since my phone number is prominent, it wasn't hard for him to locate me.

We had a five minute discussion, where I reinforced how flight attendants were primarily safety officers and any concerns their union might express about cell phone use interfering with flight safety ought to be given serious consideration. We also talked about loss of privacy, air rage, and the development of new etiquette for those who wanted their time on board to be quiet and restful without the cacophony of loud-talking single-sided phone conversations.

On the other hand, I also suggested that for some it would help while away the time on a long flight (for business or pleasure), offer reassurance for those whose anxiety levels might be high when flying, and even be a conduit for an onboard session with fear of flying clients. I also mentioned how some are already doing videochats online from onboard aircraft.

While I did mention my work with Ansett Australia before its operations ceased in 2001, I did not say I was the airline's "Chief Psychologist", which is the claim in the paper, today (June 5, 2006). This was the reporter's or sub-editor's error, and I have written to the newspaper's newsdesk seeking a correction.

Since the airline is defunct, it may not be too big a deal, but it's best to make corrections when it can be so easily done by email.

You can see the story, and what little I was quoted as saying (compared to what I have written here) by following this link .

I'll write more about the subject in a later blog entry.

Posted: Monday - June 05, 2006 at 02:30 AM         |

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