Do pilots want or have any use for in-flight Internet?

[Runway Girl]

US Airways is studying a number of options for its domestic in-flight offering, including providing connectivity to passengers. I'm doing some research and I'm curious - do pilots want or have any use for in-flight Internet? And, for that matter, what do FA's think about it?

 

[nycbusdriver]

Except for deadheading, it would be pretty useless since we are not allowed even non-technical reading in the cockpit while enroute (block-out to block-in.)

And, no doubt it will be outrageously expensive to begin with. Employees, of course, will get a discount on the service which will merely make it extraordinarily expensive for them (like the "good deal" we got on those old AT&T Airphones...yeah, right!)

Also, broadband connectivity likely would allow internet phone calls a la Skype. Won't THAT make for a lovely cabin atmosphere....some overblown, self-important suit conducting business at 90 decibels from PHL to LAX. (Ooops! I really didn't mean to spill my tomato juice on your titanium laptop....Sorry.)

Keep it, as far as I'm concerned. I already spend too much time on the computer as most folks here will attest to.

 

[FutureUScapt]

Also, broadband connectivity likely would allow internet phone calls a la Skype. Won't THAT make for a lovely cabin atmosphere....some overblown, self-important suit conducting business at 90 decibels from PHL to LAX. (Ooops! I really didn't mean to spill my tomato juice on your titanium laptop....Sorry.)

Actually cell phone and voice over the internet protocol (VOIP) are not permitted on AA's gogo inflight wifi (thank goodness!); I would assume that any other carriers would have the same restrictions.

AA Inflight Wifi

 

[NiceLandingCaptain]

nyc is right - very limited need for this during flight. Maybe to check the NEXRAD weather for strategic route changes along the way, but not much else. I could see its use to be beneficial reaching the gate area though - there's lots of professional uses for internet there. But a simple router would work for that.

 

[ClueByFour]

Actually cell phone and voice over the internet protocol (VOIP) are not permitted on AA's gogo inflight wifi (thank goodness!); I would assume that any other carriers would have the same restrictions.

AA Inflight Wifi

That page says they are not supported. It does not say they are prohibited.

They likely block the big VoIP provider addresses and the standard ports. I could (and did this, when Boeing still had connexion) simply jam the session thru a VPN tunnel and get it anyway.

That said, doing either sucks on the airplane. The latent nature of the connection to the plane makes using the connection (VPN or otherwise) for VoIP all but impossible. If it's usable at all, it will sound like a really bad CB radio.

 

[YVINTERN]

Yes or No....I've noticed there is a wireless network on our Airbus A330...What's up with that?

 

[etops1]

Yes or No....I've noticed there is a wireless network on our Airbus A330...What's up with that?

since when did you work for usairways 😉 .just giving you crap.

 

[Runway Girl]

Interesting. Would there be any need or interest to upload searchable PDF files of flight manuals from a pilot's own commercial laptop computer (or an EFB for that matter) during flight rather than have to look for the information in a printed manual?

Could not the service also be used by crew members for operational messages such as flight routing information, passenger manifests, onboard inventory requirements, maintenance data or other status reports? Or is this simply in the "nice to have" category?

 

[YVINTERN]

since when did you work for usairways 😉 .just giving you crap.

Oh yeah I still keep saying we, our, us, etc. etc...think I should go and see a Shrink about being in denial? 🙂

I am wondering because when I nonrevved to Europe all summer and was on an A330 I would find a "free wifi" network halfway across the Atlantic but of course it won't connect...I was thinking it was the IFE but...doubted it.

 

[FlightChic]

Interesting. Would there be any need or interest to upload searchable PDF files of flight manuals from a pilot's own commercial laptop computer (or an EFB for that matter) during flight rather than have to look for the information in a printed manual?

Could not the service also be used by crew members for operational messages such as flight routing information, passenger manifests, onboard inventory requirements, maintenance data or other status reports? Or is this simply in the "nice to have" category?

It could but if it is an extra cost to the company then forget it! Remember, the point of our airline is to get pax from point A to point B safely and hopeful in our case unscathed!

 

[SS255]

Also, broadband connectivity likely would allow internet phone calls a la Skype. Won't THAT make for a lovely cabin atmosphere....some overblown, self-important suit conducting business at 90 decibels from PHL to LAX.

Which is exactly why I am opposed to any form of phone usage inflight. It is bad enough that we have to overheard those conversations on the ground, and in the Clubs.

Nothing drives me crazier than people trying to show off their so-called "importance," amplified 10X in a metal tube. :down:

 

[nycbusdriver]

Interesting. Would there be any need or interest to upload searchable PDF files of flight manuals from a pilot's own commercial laptop computer (or an EFB for that matter) during flight rather than have to look for the information in a printed manual?

Could not the service also be used by crew members for operational messages such as flight routing information, passenger manifests, onboard inventory requirements, maintenance data or other status reports? Or is this simply in the "nice to have" category?

None of that is either necessary or already accomplished by other means in place. And, it's a bit easier to look in the printed manuals than to wait 5 minutes for Windows Vista to boot up. Books are nice; e-books, not so much, in general.

I do like the thought of having NEXRAD as NiceLanding suggested. But, I'm not going to pay for it. I've managed flying professionally for 35+ years using onboard radar systems. It may not make for the most efficient flight, but that's the company's decision to give me limited (but sufficient, nonetheless) information when airborne.

 

[ClueByFour]

I am wondering because when I nonrevved to Europe all summer and was on an A330 I would find a "free wifi" network halfway across the Atlantic but of course it won't connect...I was thinking it was the IFE but...doubted it.

Let me guess--it said "Free Public Wi-fi?"

What you are seeing is a combination of a bad case of "unintended consequences" on Microsoft's part and someone who happen to leave the wi-fi adapter on their laptop turned on.

See http://www.wlanbook.com/free-public-wifi-ssid/ for the gist, but you were almost certainly seeing an unconfigured laptop whose wi-fi adapter is in ad-hoc mode.

 

[Freighterguynow]

US Airways is studying a number of options for its domestic in-flight offering, including providing connectivity to passengers. I'm doing some research and I'm curious - do pilots want or have any use for in-flight Internet? And, for that matter, what do FA's think about it?

It would be absolutely invaluable to have inflight weather updates. Unlike the short haul, domestic flying - a 16 hour, night, over the pole segment (China) with a volcano erupting or a typhoon lurking about can be loads of fun. Especially needed when relying on North Korean ATC for inflight weather updates or being in the 'dead zone' for HF reception off the North coast of Japan.

 

[nycbusdriver]

NY Times Article

The NY Times has an article on this topic today. You may have to register, but I think it's free.

F/As are wary, and I agree that it can be a security and safety threat.