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Survey Finds Airport Wi-Fi More Important Than Food
Ninjakicks writes "For the business traveler (and the traveler in general, really),
Wi-Fi is important — crucial, even. But more important than sustenance?
That's exactly what was found in
a recent survey by American Airlines and HP, where some 47% of business
travelers responded that Wi-Fi was the most important airport amenity,
outscoring basic travels needs such as food by nearly 30 percent."
Airport food is expensive and usually bad. It's much easier to pack a lunch or just eat when you arrive then it is to pack a WiFi base station.
-- "So they told me that using the download page to download something was not something they anticipated." - Bill Gates
restrooms would be my number one airport amenity ..
Personally, I find it easier to pack food to bring with me than an ethernet cord long enough to get from my cable modem to the airport.
But that's just me.
The people answering the survey recognize -- apparently better than the people who looked at the results -- that every airport has some food in it, but not every airport has acceptable Wi-Fi. No one answering the survey was thinking "I'd rather starve on the net than feast without it!"
First, food in airports is notoriously bad, stale and generally nothing you'd want to eat, even when coming back from a famine-struck land. My personal theory is that this is the crap that they salvage from planes after the flight, the gunk not even the sardines-in-a-can class dwellers could stomach.
So what does the knowledgeable traveller do? Right. He brings his own food.
It's kinda hard, though, to bring your own WiFi AP with you...
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
You usually can't get food past security... And you certainly don't want to have any left when you land in a foreign country or you could face stiff fines for illegally importing food.
This is also why the food is overpriced, since you have no other alternative.
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If I answered the survey while on a business trip, my answer would have been WiFi. If I was on vacation, that last thing that I want is WiFi, (A good supply of beer would be a better choice) The fact that we now live in a connected world cannot be ignored. Ask people if they would prefer WiFi or power stations to charge thier DVD's and see what answer you get. Most of the people using their computer (that I see are using it to watch a movie). Wifi is simply there for entertainment for a number of people. But as far as expenses go, it would probably be expensive for the airports, and more and more people are getting their own connection through their Cell phone etc. If my company requires I need internet away from the office, there are too many solutions now available. I would rather see airports spend money on efficiency, ease of travel, REAL security, maintenance.
"a recent survey by American Airlines and HP"....
I bet "a recent survey by American Airlines and Pizza Hut" would have come to the opposite conclusion.
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
My next toy will be to setup Microsoft's Direct Access replacement for VPN's and I will never be disconnected from my network. When more people become aware of Direct Access, that is going to put a dent in those who say they cant innovate in Redmond. This is some bad-ass technology.
I absolutely hate how many US airports don't provide free Wifi for travelers (free Wifi seems to be more common abroad). For a minuscule fraction of their budget, airports could provide an invaluable service. It must change.
Hey, it's important to me!
"The only legitimate use of a computer is to play games." - Eugene Jarvis
You usually can't get food past security... And you certainly don't want to have any left when you land in a foreign country or you could face stiff fines for illegally importing food.
This is also why the food is overpriced, since you have no other alternative.
Not sure what countries you are flying to and from, but I've done a fair bit of air travel in my life to varying countries around the world, and I've never once had a problem bringing my own food.
Of course you can't bring your own water (that must be purchased after the security check point), but as long as you're okay with your food being pelted with x-rays (which is undoubtedly healthier than the food typically sold in most airports), you should be fine.
Of course there are restrictions on certain types of edibles, mostly fresh fruit and other things with seeds. Just pre-package a meal with your fruits in it all cut up, and they won't say anything.
In almost all western counties.........but check out Changi in Singapore. A GREAT airport. You don't get ripped off the food is fantastic!
http://www.changiairport.com/changi/en/index.html
"The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old......They literally know nothing." - Ben Rhodes
You might be smuggling in poisonous sandwiches. Everybody remain seated, I'm hijacking this plane. I warn you, if you resist I'll throw a poisonous sandwich at you.
Even for a "business" user, you should be well enough organised that your employer can afford to be out of touch with you for a short period, without suffering catastrophic business failure (if not, they should fire you immediately as you are obviously a single point of failure and as such a total liability to the organisation).
If you do suffer symptoms of stress or anxiety when disconnected from the 'net this sounds a lot like a personality disorder - even if you do use the old line: "No, really, I just like the internet. I could give up any time".
politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
Water is essential to life. Not allowing you to bring your own is preposterous. Make the owner bring it in a clear bottle and drink some before the flight if you are paranoid. It's simple economic protectionism.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
is the second most important thing. I'd even say it's the first one: I can live without internet, but to work offline I need to charge the laptop.
At most airoports a few outlets in the waiting areas are at best inconveniently located (being designed for plugging cleaning machines rather than for traveller's use), and at worst unavailable. I've spent more than a few strolls down the halls trying to find a free outlet and a seat withing the reach of it.
17779 eligible voters in a district, 17779 'vote' as one. This is Russia.
It's like those studies that found out that, under the right circumstances, EVERYTHING causes cancer in lab rats.
All the airport food is going to do (by its' high price and low quality) is remind you that you're STUCK IN A DAMN AIRPORT.
In a related survey - "70% of people surveyed prefered New Coke - the other 30% chose airport food, broken glass, or suicide." It all depends on how you ask the question.
I suspect it was internet based...
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... but when you traveling for the hell of it and have been stuck in the same airport for a day decent food becomes way more important that wifi and internet access.
*freaking* Power Supplies!!
It's amazing how many recently built terminals lack power supplies near the gates.
This result is actually not surprising. Note that "air" doesn't even make the list.
Food is available in virtually every terminal of nearly all airports. It's no big deal because you always have it.
By contrast many Airports do not have WiFi and of those that do, many attempt to charge for the service.
So when you open your Laptop in Fort Lauderdale and see skype connected right away, it feels like a big deal. I don't know about other people but since this year I have chosen 2 flights that stop in FLL over comparable flights which stop in MIA, because of the Internet access.
Granted on one of those flights the price of the ticket was far lower but on the other I actually payed $5 more and spent 90 minutes extra in the airport.
As any Slashdoter can attest a 5 hour wait with internet is a lot shorter than a 3 1/2 hour wait without it.
--= Isn't it surprising how badly I spell ?
Still not stealing.
In this case you are acquiring access to classified data. You are not stealing it (i.e you are not physically walking off with blueprints).
Imagine I took a photo of a bomb. Did I just steal it?