I’m noticing an increasing number of people who don’t turn off cell phones in flight. What exactly are the safety concerns? Perhaps if people knew more about what could happen, they would obey.

Maybe, but don’t bet a week’s pay on it, especially now that 16 international carriers are providing cell phone service.

But the U.S. still bans the use of in-flight cell phones and probably won’t lift its restriction any time soon, partly because of a bit of back-and-forth between two government agencies and partly because of efforts to legislate our manners.

As for safety, the Federal Communications Commission’s Web site, under its cell phone FAQs for children, says, “Some of the places that you should never use your mobile phone are inside hospitals and airplanes. When you make or receive calls, electromagnetic waves are sent through the air. … If the computers don’t work properly, the airplane may not go the right direction or fly at the right height, or they may even crash! Next time you get on a plane, make sure that you turn off your mobile phone so that everyone can have a safe flight.”

Whether you agree that science supports this is another matter.

But the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration don’t always agree which one is the buzz kill here. A spokesman for the FCC told me the ban on in-flight cell phones comes from the FAA. A spokesman for the FAA said no, it’s the FCC.

None of this may matter anyway because there’s legislation afoot to ban cell-phone use in flight because they’re a nuisance.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, a Democrat from Oregon, introduced legislation last year that promotes peace and quiet on planes. It’s the HANG UP Act (Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace Act). He contends that uncontrolled yakking can turn a flight into a sentence to hell.

My 30-year-old daughter and a woman friend are traveling to Cairo in July. Any safety concerns they should be aware of? Also, any suggestions on places to stay? She says she can get a room for $15 – how safe is that?

Generally speaking, Cairo is a safe city, especially in heavily touristed areas. Women should take the same precautions they would when visiting any urban area: Don’t walk alone at night, leave flashy jewelry at home, don’t go off with strangers, have the hotel summon taxis, etc.

That said, women should also brace themselves for unwanted attention from men, according to the U.S. State Department and several Cairo experts. This can range from lewd comments to groping in taxis and in public places.

As hard as it may be to resist responding to comments or gestures, it’s better not to react, says Robert Reid, an editor with the guidebook company Lonely Planet. “Even a light rebuke could be mistaken for flirtation.” On a bus, he advises, stand by other women and, if lost, ask a woman for directions. Dressing conservatively also helps. Tim Post of Kensington Tours, which runs a lot of trips to Cairo, says there’s no need to cover up from head to toe, but at the least avoid short shorts and tank tops, and carry a wrap to blend in and to wear when visiting mosques.

Your daughter’s right about the cheap lodging, Post says, particularly downtown, where there are a lot of pensions, guesthouses and hostels with private rooms. He thinks $15 is a bit low to get something clean, but $20 to $30 will get you a basic two-star room with private bath.

The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times