Not everyone is cheering as Wi-Fi takes to the air

Wireless Internet service on airlines may become a new source of tension between passengers on packed planes.
(From The New York Times)

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[polyomino]

Well... it's all very touching that "some are concerned" about this "new" development. Adorable even! But, seriously, raise your hand if you think in 10 years there's going to be somewhere that your implant won't be able to check your office email? Anyone?

[Lerianis]

Give me a break.... will someone tell these people that 'terrorism' concerns are getting out of control in this country. I mean, sure, they could be talking with conspirators 'on the ground'.... what are those conspirators going to do in reality? Shoot a missile at the airliner? They can do that WITHOUT needing someone on board the plane!

[myles taylor]

I'm afraid I don't see it. <br /><br />The terrorist concern....they're Terrorists! I think breaking the rules is the last thing on their minds and I'm sure they can find a way to communicate. <br /><br />Other concerns...I think it's a lot of whining about nothing really. They are all minor concerns and it's not a big deal. <br /><br />As far as being cut off or not, keeping it a paid service is what will keep you from using it too much It can't be all that fast so it would probably be annoying if you were doing heavy work on it. Also, if your boss wants to require you to work during a flight, he/she would have to pay for the service, since it's not free.

[ralfthedog]

Most of us are salaried. If you are on call 24/7 365 you need to be able to work 24/7 365. (If you are not on call 24/7 365 you will be in 10 years or so. Deal with it!)

[Penguinisto]

Ooookay... having just recently sat on an airplane, this is my $0.02:<br /><br />1) I could create an ad-hoc wireless network on a plane right now if I wanted to covertly communicate with people scattered across an airplane cabin.<br /><br />2) If an employer expects me to pay any amount of money for wifi access on the plane, they can pay for it when they buy my ticket... <br /><br />3) To be honest, it's the perfect time to get some non-critical work done (after all, where else you gonna be, and what else are you gonna do?) OTOH, if you want me to be connected via VPN and ssh/rdesktop on a bumpy plane, over a spotty wifi connection moving at 600mph, all while changing/configuring a mission-critical server? Oh, Hell no!<br /><br />4) I could stop any employer instantly from demanding that I do work on a plane with two words (and so can you): trade secrets. Want I should be perusing the family jewels on a crowded airplane, where at least four other people (plus anyone walking down the aisle who isn't blind) can see what I'm doing from close proximity at any one time? Didn't think so. So-called privacy screens don't work so hot when the guy in the seat behind be can merely peek over my shoulder.<br /><br />5) "Coach doesn't have laptop battery chargers built-in to them. I'll be requiring business-class/first-class seats from now on." &gt;:)

[ralfthedog]

I don't think the security threat is people inside the plane talking with each other. I think it is people in more than one plane coordinating attacks (Yes, they can do that with a pager).

[Penguinisto]

@ralf - they can also do that with the plane radios (e.g. use a pre-arranged channel once they take the things over).

[tmccrack]

If they are going to add wifi I hope they add juice to each seat. My experience has been that most airplanes don't have a way to plug in my device, so especially on International flights it is pretty useless. So on the plus side, this might be a means for them to finally do the right thing and add outlets to ALL coach seats.