Doing it in the sky - bet you haven't done that yet

tadw · 03-01-05, 05:52 AM

Have you ever dreamed of surfing the Net with your Dell when you are on a long-haul flight? Apparently Alex from MR just did that and it seems like he had a lot of fun:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?threadid=3457

The question is do I really need to access my e-mails or surf the Web while airborne?

03-01-05, 06:57 AM

need?

probably not
but.....

as was mentioned in the rest of the thread - that was really cool and turns you from a relative prisoner on a long flight to a bit more free. It costs money both in connection and your own hardware and battery time....but for those who have it....

In my next transatlantic I would love the option!

LarryNJ · 03-01-05, 07:05 AM

Your right I haven't done that yet. Nor would I pay $30 to do it. It's really cool but I'd put about a $10 or $12 limit that I'd spend.

03-01-05, 07:42 AM

I'd join the mile high club for $30 ;)

tadw · 03-01-05, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by LarryNJ

Your right I haven't done that yet. Nor would I pay $30 to do it. It's really cool but I'd put about a $10 or $12 limit that I'd spend.

I honestly hope that they will cut down prices to something along that line. Not now, but perhaps in a year or so if demand is strong enough.

Xerran · 03-01-05, 09:30 AM

I wish i could do that when i travel from New York to London. I am pretty sure i could get at least 6 hours of X50v use during my six and a half hour flight. I heard Virgin Atlantic is trying to get WiFi for their flights also.

Dag · 03-01-05, 11:30 AM

Interesting that they're now offering wireless LAN on airplanes after telling us that cell phones are dangerous as they can interfere with communications...

kjnangre · 03-01-05, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Dag

Interesting that they're now offering wireless LAN on airplanes after telling us that cell phones are dangerous as they can interfere with communications...

They just say that. There is no truth to it whatsoever.

pkcarlton · 03-01-05, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by kjnangre

They just say that. There is no truth to it whatsoever.

All depends on the frquency being used. And yes, there is truth to it. Happened on an ILS (guidance when the weather is bad) and the signal could not be seen by the pilots up front.

tadw · 03-01-05, 10:39 PM

I've heard it is related to how cell phones operated. The farer away they are from signal transmitting stations, the stronger the signal coming from the cell phone. Obviously, on an airplane, all cell phones would operate with a signal as strong as possible, since they're trying to reach a station. The solution is to install a transmitting station IN or ON the airplane, so that cell phones on board would only operate with a very low signal.

NiwRoC · 03-02-05, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by Dag

Interesting that they're now offering wireless LAN on airplanes after telling us that cell phones are dangerous as they can interfere with communications...

I've read the FCC is changing some of its rules in the next year or so for cell phones and electronic equipment use. Should be interesting!

03-02-05, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by Dad

I'd join the mile high club for $30 ;)

Well when you put it that way.

Though for that much I would expect more than the service offers. Perhaps it will come down a little as the service becomes more widely available.

Oh, by the way... I have a life.

Dag · 03-02-05, 03:37 AM

I've heard hundreds of differing opinions about the whole thing which is why I didn't (and won't) comment on the veracity of it, but it does seem a bit ironic, ne?

03-02-05, 05:34 AM

money money money!!! but who cares?! :)

francesco_q · 03-02-05, 05:39 AM

I do... I don't have any... I certainly can't spend even $10 just for checking my mail and browsing a few hours!