UPDATE: Southwest passenger Joe David Jones has defended his cell phone use on the Austin to Dallas flight:

“Jones reportedly was on the phone to talk to a hospital about his father’s care. A business associate, Mark Clayton, says Jones told him his father’s heart had stopped and a cardiac unit needed to talk to him immediately to discuss care options.

Clayton says the nature of the call was life and death.” (from Fox News)

A passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight from Austin to Dallas was met by police upon landing, because he refused to stop talking on his cell phone throughout the flight.

As reported by the Dallas Morning News, flight attendants repeatedly asked the passenger to stop using the phone, but to no avail. The passenger was met by Dallas Police and cited for disorderly conduct.

OK, as someone who has flown between Austin and Dallas many times, I have to say, “Get off your phone!” The Austin to Dallas flight is one of those where you barely have time to get your drink before the plane starts its descent. Can’t you be “disconnected” for 50 minutes?

Oh, and the airline can be fined up $25,000 if they don’t comply with FAA regulations regarding cell phones, so it’s not like the flight attendants are just being difficult.

One day, we may be cursed with legal cell phone use in the air. Until that time, let your fellow travelers enjoy the silence.