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

[jimntx]

F/As at AA have also been apprehensive about the gogo service; however, it seems to be working out ok so far. Since there is a charge for it, not as many ff'ers as one would think use it. At AA we were more concerned about the idea to allow cell phone usage, and we KNEW that would result in us being referees as to whose conversation was more important and who was talking too loud, etc. Slit my wrists, thank you.

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

Use of VOIP is prohibited on AA regardless of what the website says. And, I can assure you that if you did your little techie magic and "hacked" the system, the f/as would notice that you were talking to your laptop and getting responses from your laptop. You would be instructed to disconnect immediately. If you chose to ignore the instruction or you decided to hook up later when you thought no one was looking, it might very well result in your leaving the a/c in handcuffs at the next station. At AA we take the use of prohibited technical devices very seriously. Remember 9/11/2001?

 

[ClueByFour]

Use of VOIP is prohibited on AA regardless of what the website says. \

Really? I hope that's published somewhere (FOM, etc).

And, I can assure you that if you did your little techie magic and "hacked" the system, the f/as would notice that you were talking to your laptop and getting responses from your laptop. You would be instructed to disconnect immediately. If you chose to ignore the instruction or you decided to hook up later when you thought no one was looking, it might very well result in your leaving the a/c in handcuffs at the next station. At AA we take the use of prohibited technical devices very seriously. Remember 9/11/2001?

I love how various drink-slinging safety professions (and congrats, for that little rant, you just make the list) like to refer to 9/11 to justify everything. "Handcuffs?" Oooh. Get me a freaking drink and stop listening to my conversation.

That's fine. I'd disconnect. The lawsuit is so much better when dealing with F/As with power trips because, well, you don't make a lot and your company and union tend to toss you under the bus more often than not and there exists caselaw about what tries to happen when the crew essentially makes some safety reg up out of thin air. I really hope AA has a prohibition of VoIP calls in the FOM somewhere.

And while you are busy power tripping about making someone successfully disconnect a laptop, they've told you they disconnected, gone to the restroom on their bluetooth (via the laptop) and finished the call. Do you really think an even half-witted terrwrist would fire up the call in plain sight if he thought the ever-vigilant safety professionals (another drink, alice!) at AA would see it happen? (I forgot that the ever vigilant safety professionals at AA can tell what a locked laptop is doing).

Now, what's truly funny about that is I merely pointed out that it could be done, and you launched into a handcuff laden, power tripping, 9/11 invoking tirade. Fine. Do your job and get me a freaking drink.

 

[jimntx]

Oooo, I'm scared. Do let me know if you fly AA. We'll make sure to make YOUR "power-tripping-I'll-call-my-lawyer" fanny welcome.

I spent over 20 years in the Information Technology industry. I doubt there is very little your amateur computer skills could accomplish without my knowing you did it. BTW, there are both FCC and FAA regulations (i.e., Federal law) against using any device which broadcasts a free signal (a la Bluetooth,GPS, etc ) on ANY a/c in the U.S., wifi equipped or not. Call your lawyer. Maybe he'll front you the bail.

P.S. I usually work in F/C; so, I wouldn't be able to bring you a drink in that middle seat in the last row before the coach lav. Sorry.

 

[exHPer]

I love how various drink-slinging safety professions (and congrats, for that little rant, you just make the list) like to refer to 9/11 to justify everything. "Handcuffs?" Oooh. Get me a freaking drink and stop listening to my conversation.

Do your job and get me a freaking drink.

Holy schmoly...someone has some issues!

 

[Runway Girl]

Thanks so much for all the responses. I've used some of them in my latest video blog. Rules prohibit a link, but I just want to express my gratitude for your insight and assistance.

 

[maddawg]

It sure would be nice to have near real time doppler wx radar and lightning data displays on a laptop. Better yet, have it displayed on the Nav display like in my friends Mooney Ovation. His avionics package make an Airbus look like an antique. Take a look: http://www.mooney.com/ovation2-gx/avionics.html

 

[nethan]

While having web access to NEXRAD data while in flight would be nice, I would settle for just having access at the gates again. The new computer roll out locked down access to the Hub which used to allow access to aviationweather.gov and other sites to get a radar picture. Now I've got to hike all the way to a crew room just to get an updated radar map.

 

[BoeingBoy]

I need to correct something I posted earlier - that current wi-fi systems didn't have much overwater coverage because the systems currently used ground stations. There's an article out today saying that WN is testing a satellite based wi-fi system. Don't know how wide an area it covers, since WN only needs "lower 48" coverage for now.

Jim

 

[Runway Girl]

The system on Southwest's 737 is provided by Row 44. It's the first Ku-band-based connectivity system to come to the commercial market since the demise of Connexion by Boeing. Row 44 plans to be able to offer the service on transatlantic flights and in Europe in the not too distant. However, the company has run into some hurdles on the regulatory front and as yet has not received permanent FCC approval.

 

[flyin2low]

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?

Yeah, I could post on US Aviation.com while flying

 

[twoturnin]

we are using basically WWII radio equipment compared to what corporate aviation uses--never mind uplinks on Bus's--NEXRAD etc etc would be nice----besides if we had internet we could use MAGICJACK to call MEDLINK---CHEAP.

 

[GolfNovember]

As far as it being useful, wireless internet on board would be beneficial to flight itself only if our pilots use an electronic flight bag (i.e. the above-mentioned NEXRAD datalink, but to be used in conjunction with GPS, Departure Procedures, Standard Terminal Arrival Procedures that can be updated as the new plates come out). Something like AnyWhereMap's tablet computer package deals. http://www.anywheremap.com

Hey, being a Riddle Rat, you cannot expect less!