Comments on: Trip Report: Why I Don’t Need Inflight Internet

By: Jeff H

Jeff H — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:42:03 +0000

I agree about being unplugged for a while. A 14-hour flight from L.A. to Paris is one thing, but people can’t be without their computer, BlackBerry, cell phone or whatever for two hours? I was on a SEA-LGB flight before Christmas, and the minute we were allowed to, all the cell phones came out, which is pretty standard these days. Can you imagine the cacophony if 120 pax could spend the whole two hours talking on their cell phones — at what would likely be at an unpleasant volume? I guess that’s why I like early-morning or late-night flights; everyone is asleep.

By: james

james — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:48:10 +0000

Yeah the animals are a unique and fun marketing angle – and their banter is featured on TV and radio ads too. Although all my miles are on UAL I fly Frontier whenever schedule and price fits. They were one of the first low cost carriers to service DEN in the 90s when it was a fortress hub by UAL. And since they’ve stuck around and overall provide a good product I try and support them when I can.

They haven’t done great with point to point service in California, and except for a few routes and service to Mexico almost all flights connect through DEN.

As for DEN and winter: Hopefully we’ll do better this year. The city is on it’s toes now about keeping people (including private contracters for city streets,) on the ready, thus avoiding another embarrassment. I flew back this Christmas night (from LAX) and although snowing and icy the runways and ramps were clear.

The only bad thing about having an airport on a gigantic swath of open prairie is just that. Lots of winds and blowing snow during storms, even if they only last a day.

p.s. Astra good luck with your training.

By: CF

CF — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:57:27 +0000

Astra – Good luck with cabin crew training. I thought they were laying people off, so that’s good news they’re still hiring.

They make a big deal about which animal you fly with, so I certainly thought to include. For those who haven’t flown the airline, when you walk in there’s a poster with the animal saying something like, “Hi, I’m . . . .” Then, the announcements generally include the animal. At the end, they say that “all of us including the flight crew and the animal thank you for flying” or something like that.

By: Astra

Astra — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:43:32 +0000

Glad your Frontier flight went smoothly! I start cabin crew training in a month or two, perhaps I’ll get to serve you soon! Nice touch adding what “Animal” you flew with. :)

By: Sagar

Sagar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:36:11 +0000

I share your sense of freedom at having at least one sanctum where I can truly be off-the-grid. Once inflight broadband becomes ubiquitous, employers will start expecting their people to remain online during flights.

(Alternatively, I can try using my Blackberry in the Sepulveda Pass. That normally elicits a similar feeling of being off-the-grid, albeit in a non-desirable way.)

By: Allen

Allen — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:19:07 +0000

With the lack of space in the seating, you really couldn’t use that lap top if you wanted to.