Southwest Passenger Cited For Cell Phone Chatter

[Miranda]

Mon May 12, 2008

DALLAS - A Southwest Airlines passenger who refused to get off his cell phone during a flight found Dallas police waiting for him Monday.

Southwest officials had summoned police, who met the jet when it arrived at Love Field from Austin. Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said flight attendants had repeatedly asked the man to get off the phone while airborne.

Police said Joe David Jones, 50, of Austin, was cited for disorderly conduct. Jones did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

The Federal Aviation Administration bars use of mobile phones when planes are flying due to concerns about interference with navigation systems.

King said airlines can be fined up to $25,000 for allowing cell phone use, and passengers also can be fined.

2008 Associated Press