http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/12/21/wired.airlines/index.html
The FAA is not alone in the banning of cell phones in flight - it is the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that also bans them.
The article mentions FAA concerns about safety. Another concern that the article doesn’t mention is the effect of inflight cell phones on the ground system. The FCCis studying this now.
The FAA just wants to make sure that the cell phones don’t cause the engines to fall off.
No, that is only a concern with Alitalia. Somehow the planes of other airlines are able to withstand the punishment electronic signals inflict on aircraft wing/engine assembly structures.
That’s because other airlines have Napa Valley and Livermore Valley wines on board.