Cell phone allowance on planes one more reason not to fly RyanAir in Europe

Europe’s cheapest and possibly worst airline is now on the verge of becoming the most annoying as well.

RyanAir, the discount air carrier that flies passengers all over the continent and drops them off at airports in the middle of nowhere will begin allowing cell phones on planes.

The carrier plans to have each plane in their fleet capable of cell service by February 2007, a move likely targeted at all the young backpackers than jaunt around Europe on low-cost airlines and have meaningful conversations on their phones constantly such as:

“Hey, I’m on the plane, where are you?…Ya isn’t it cool I can talk on the plane now?”

(Have you noticed that my entire generation cannot sit by themselves without whipping out their phone instantly, either to text message or simply look busy? No one can be alone with their thoughts anymore in a public place. What did the generation before cell phones do? Oh ya, you would smoke some pot and play with your Rubix Cubes.)

I’ve flown RyanAir twice, and twice too much. I’ve written a 2000-word bitter rant on my experiences with them but I’ll spare you the details and simply say I’d rather double my fare for something a little more civilized. Better yet, I flew budget competitor SkyEurope recently and things were efficient but fine. I didn’t get a meal onboard but I usually sleep through those anyways.

There is one reason cell phones should be allowed in flight, and that’s to call your ride if you’re delayed or something. Otherwise, read the dang Sky Mall like everyone else.