The 'Net At 40,000 Feet

Let's just come right out and say it- flying in an airplane is a lousy experience. From the tiny seats, to the lack of legroom, to the wait for a bathroom, and the junky, and now overpriced food, it's just almost enough to get this flier to stay home. Notice I said, "almost," because if you want to travel, whether for business or pleasure, getting aboard an airplane is a necessary evil in many cases.

One of the many aspects of flying I don't like is that there's just so little to do. Hour after hour creeps by as I watch the fellow passengers grow disgusted with the flight as well. A few of us bring some electronics, but after a few hours I realize that a notebook computer without the internet is just not that useful. I really would love to be able to be connected in flight and catch up on my surfing and email. However, that just doesn't happen.

Sure, there have been many concerns with notebooks. Especially given the fact that we hold the aviation industry to the highest standard- perfection. Nobody wants any reasons for an airplane to fall out of the sky.

Lately, with all the security issues, it has clearly been getting worse and not better. First, only the newer, larger planes even have power outlets to plug the notebooks in. Very few notebooks will make a cross country flight while being powered up without some supplemental power. Then there is the wireless issue. How many people on the plane even know how to turn their notebook's WiFi off? It's not really their fault as sometimes it's hidden in a software menu, or a tiny unmarked button. Let's also not forget the wireless accessories like cordless mice, and Bluetooth headphones that travel along with today's laptops. All this wireless emission could theoretically interfere with the plane's GPS system, a chance that the airlines just shouldn't take.

Apparently, these concerns just might be melting away. Last week, at the progressive airlines, Jet Blue, they won a license to have the internet wirelessly streamed to their planes. Interestingly, Jet Blue was also the first airlines to get satellite television for Direct TV onto their planes. With the satellite TV, it meant the other airlines needed to sublet the technology from them. It looks like history is on the verge of repeating itself.

I'm not sure what happened to the prior concerns that have stood in the way of this. When there's a buck or two (or maybe many more) to be made by selling a service, somehow it's all of a sudden ok. I suspect that is what is happening here.

If I can use the internet on the plane, maybe I'll be more comfortable despite the lack of legroom, and the guy in front of me inevitably reclining back. Now if they can just do something about the food situation; luke warm mushy chicken on soggy rice for $10 doesn't quite cut it.

--Jonas