Some people think their lawmakers are out of touch. But one thing some members of Congress say they understand quite well: that cell phones can be a major pain in the seat cushion when they're used on airplanes in flight.

House members shared all kinds of horror stories as they considered extending a ban on cell phone use during flights. One lawmaker said his wife sat next to a woman who loudly discussed her sex life on the phone. Another House member recalled how a passenger sitting behind him on one flight had gotten a "Dear John" call just before taking off. He begged and pleaded with her to take him back. It got so bad, a flight attendant had to threaten to have the man dragged off the plane before he put his phone away.

After hearing stories like that, a House subcommittee approved a bill that would make permanent the current FAA and FCC ban on cell phone use during flight.