You are now allowed to do this on takeoff!

By REBECCA SPARROW

I’m getting nervous.

This morning it was announced that both Virgin and Qantas will now allow passengers to keep their mobile phones switched ON (but in flight mode) for the entire length of a flight.

From take off to landing.

Here’s how it was reported on ABC News:

Fine, I thought.

Good, I thought.

I can deal with that. I thought.

AS LONG AS THE NEXT STEP ISN’T ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO MAKE AND RECEIVE CALLS IN THE AIR.

Am I the only person who dreads the idea that in the not too distant future, airlines are going to allow us to actually use our mobile phones?

Because I’m dreading it and hoping it never happens.

For me, being on a plane is the one time in my life I get to disconnect. And I relish it. I relish the fact no one can reach me. I relish the fact that I’m incommunicado. I relish the fact that I can’t disappear down the rabbit hole that is checking and answering emails.

Whether I’m on a one-hour flight or a twelve-hour flight, it’s the one time I have no choice but to read. Or watch a dodgy Jennifer Aniston movie. Or, you know, sleep.

So when those Qantas flight attendants tell us to “please switch off your devices” – I’m doing a happy dance. I can justifiably disconnect from a world that demands I am always contactable.

But I’m getting the feeling I’m alone in this.

The majority of people want to be contactable while they’re in the air.

Now maybe it’s because I work online which is a round-the-clock type of a job. Or maybe it’s because I live with three small children – who frankly – are like stalkers. But I am dreading the day the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announces that we can now send emails and receive phone calls in the air.

I have my fingers crossed that Flight Mode is as good as it gets.

What do you think? Would you love to be able to make and receive phone calls on flights? Or do you enjoy the peace and serenity?