Why you can't use cell phones on planes

Anyone who has flown before is quite familiar with the message from flight crews to turn off your cell phones. But did you ever wonder why that is required? Security reasons? Interference with the airplanes electronics?

No, simply because Congress won't allow it - they don't want you to bother people around you with jibber-jabber. OpenMarket.org has the details, noting that the FCC and FAA want to lift the ban, and Europe already has.

For Pete DeFazio, the lead sponsor of this ban, let me note that most people (especially me) hate being subjected to crying babies on airplanes. Please ban all crying by babies on airplanes.