FUji wrote:

The switching is done in a fraction of a second. The most that would happen
is a dropped call.

Not true. If you are a few thousand feet up, using one of the phones that uses the
old 800 MhZ bands, you will hit multiple cells which use the same radio frequency
set. The problem is not switching so much as it is interference with other calls. If
the ground equipment has the capability of detecting this interference (Motorola used
to do this), then you've blocked that frequency pair at every cell within range and
reduced their capacity by one call. If it can't detect and correct the problem, your
conversation may "step on" someone else's call.

If you are on the ground, you will only be able to reach one cell that uses the
frequency set you're using and there is no problem.

Now, if you have one of those "personal communication systems" (AKA "PCS phones"),
you will not have this problem in the air. These phones use frequency sets in the 900
MhZ range, use different technology, and are legal to use in the air. Of course,
non-professionals call them "cell phones", so you get all sorts of confusion there.
Some of them also use the old system for backup when they can't complete a call using
the PCS network, so you really have to check your manual.

This topic has been extensively discussed here for over 15 years that I know of. Back
when it mattered a lot more than it does now.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".