Flying High with Wi-Fi

My flight to Denver wasn’t on one of those new-fangled planes with wireless Internet access on-board. And while United lets you listen to the same chatter that the pilots hear, I didn’t even have access to an audio jack. I could’ve opened up my laptop and written a few things en route, but my battery life stinks. I’d be lucky to get a couple of hours out of this Toshiba brick. Ah, but I’ve found an open outlet here at my gate. I had to pay ten bucks to get into their Wi-Fi network. Why? No, the layover wasn’t supposed to be that long tonight (I’m flying to Des Moines) - the plane was delayed, and they had to find a new one. Better to do that now than in the air, I suppose? Since I had an extra hour to kill, I decided to take advantage of the service and prepare today’s Report. I was a little put off that the Wi-Fi wasn’t free. They give me electricity, they give me running water, they give me snack food on the flight… so why not give me wireless? If everybody opened up their notebook computer and got online at the same time, would the world explode? Would there be a lot less disgruntled travelers moping around? I see a lot of business folks sitting around here, twiddling their thumbs. If they had the option to check their e-mail without having to first whip out their credit card, would they? I say: Wi-Fi before you fly is worth a try (but not to buy).

At the Burbank airport, they actually had a “Computer” area. They wanted to charge me for Wi-Fi, too - but at least they accomodate those of us who travel with energy vaccuums. In a few hours, I’ll be able to hit public hotspots for free (thanks to Lockergnomie Tom Pohl’s I Spots) - including one restaurant a few blocks away from our hotel. We registered for a room that has complimentary broadband, so I won’t have to walk too far from the honor bar to check my Inbox. Still, when you want an affordable snack to go along with your surfing, there’s no easier way (provided the place sports open wireless service). A few years ago, I would have died if I didn’t have a data port for my modem. Today, I can’t even remember the last time I got on through dial-up! Connectivity is important - it’s essential! There are so many bored faces surrounding me. And kids? Wi-Fi is a great pacifier, provided the portable game system is out of juice. There’s noth… OUCH! I just turned around and saw a user downloading the proprietary software this wireless network “suggests.” Bah! It doesn’t have to be that difficult, folks. I should open my laptop, have it find the wireless signal, then let me assume my regular Web-based duties (since certain ports, like the one for outgoing e-mail, are almost always blocked due to worms and viruses). It’s only Wi-Fi, and I know there must be businesses who see the value in providing wireless Internet access without passing the cost directly along to the consumer. I hope.