Free Airport Wi-Fi FTW

[Gibson486]

Yeah...it cost money to use wifi at logan...WTF!

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin

Originally posted by: venkman
Tethering FTW

Except when you have a con call. Don't think there is anything out there that will do voice and data at the same time.

My BlackJack II will make calls and not drop a tethered 3G connection. I think most WinMo phones behave similarly. EDGE/GPRS only support voice or data, not both at the same time.

 

[spidey07]

So you think that equipment, the maintenance of it and the internet connection should be free?

What else that costs money do you think you are entitled to?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: spidey07
So you think that equipment, the maintenance of it and the internet connection should be free?

What else that costs money do you think you are entitled to?

Have you seen the amount of money that airports bring in? Between the fees that you get charged for on tickets and the amount they bring in through the shops, it's like a sporting event.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: spidey07
So you think that equipment, the maintenance of it and the internet connection should be free?

What else that costs money do you think you are entitled to?

I was wondering when you would show up. So does Comcast provide the service? :laugh:

Nothing is really free. If there is no cost for you to sit down there is a service that you are paying for where a portion of that pays for this "free" service. With the number of wifi devices in the terminal it's become obvious that setting a fee for the use of this service was a way to make more money. The airlines are famous for this starting with baggage now seating assignments. What's next? Lavatory coins? Glad I don't fly!

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Gee, it probably has something to do with airports getting a kickback for allowing a commercial service in.

Anymore I just tether my phone. Granted, the speed sucks but it is better than spending the money for it.

 

[Agentbolt]

Denver has great free wireless.

The BEST free wireless network, however, is at Albuquerque. It's wicked fast, no ads, and they have these designated lounges you can go up some stairs to use it with. And the lounges have these huge leather chairs, tables, and a picture window looking at at a landing strip where you can watch planes land.

Seriously, I don't have strong personal feelings about any other airport, but I fucking love Albuquerque's.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: spidey07
So you think that equipment, the maintenance of it and the internet connection should be free?

What else that costs money do you think you are entitled to?

Shouldn't they charge for using the toilets too? Plumbing is big bucks!
Couldn't we all bring our own flashlights so they could save a ton on electricity for their lighting?

Wifi is becoming an expected service in many public places, eventually I think the cost will get bundled in to overhead.

 

[DainBramaged]

Every airport that I've been in in the past year has had free wifi. But then, I've only been in about five or six.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Every airport that I've been in in the past year has had free wifi. But then, I've only been in about five or six.

I flew twice a couple years ago, and was in the following airports:
MSP
SMF
Georgia
Charlotte
DFW
and Phoenix.

SMF was the only one that didn't charge for Wifi. The others had $10 access plans that needed to be signed up for. $10/mo wasn't bad if you were flying through there all the time, but just once would be a rip.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: spidey07
So you think that equipment, the maintenance of it and the internet connection should be free?

What else that costs money do you think you are entitled to?

It is not a desire for entitlement, but rather a perk in terms of customer service. Free Wi-Fi is very common amongst various retailers. Due to the nature of travelers either on business or pleasure, it would be reasonable for a business (i.e. airports) to cater to their customers by providing free Wi-Fi.

 

[axelfox]

Ever notice that the "cheaper" hotels/motels have free wifi, but the more expensive ones require you to pay for it?

Someone told me that the lower hotels/motels are trying to bring in customers with the free wifi; with the higher end lodgings, you're more likely to stay there anyways.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Denver has great free wireless.

The BEST free wireless network, however, is at Albuquerque. It's wicked fast, no ads, and they have these designated lounges you can go up some stairs to use it with. And the lounges have these huge leather chairs, tables, and a picture window looking at at a landing strip where you can watch planes land.

Seriously, I don't have strong personal feelings about any other airport, but I fucking love Albuquerque's.

Nah... the best free WiFi still has to be the Las Vegas airport, because you can play the slots and drink a beer practically anywhere in the terminal while you're waiting for stuff to download

One thing that I'm curious about, though... Now that AT&T has bought up Wayport and partnered with Starbucks, has anyone noticed it getting easier to find "free" WiFi access at airports with your iPhone yet?

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: KentState
I know the Dayton, Ohio airport has free WiFi. When I was traveling, I would play WoW to pass the time and the connection was fast enough to give me a >100ms ping.

Yeah, Columbus, Ohio does, too.

 

[secretanchitman]

tethering FTW, as chicago o'hare and midway both dont have free wifi.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: l0cke
Denver is bad, they used to have free wi-fi before it was that popular, then when laptops started coming with it they started charging.

since when - it was free 3 weeks ago.

you just had to go through their login system and spend 30 seconds "watch" some ad.

and you have banner across your screen.

Huntsville, Las Vegas and San Jose also have free WiFi.

I know there are others, those happen to be the airports that I use most frequently this past couple of years

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: l0cke
Denver is bad, they used to have free wi-fi before it was that popular, then when laptops started coming with it they started charging.

since when - it was free 3 weeks ago.

you just had to go through their login system and spend 30 seconds "watch" some ad.

and you have banner across your screen.

Huntsville, Las Vegas and San Jose also have free WiFi.

I know there are others, those happen to be the airports that I use most frequently this past couple of years

How does that work exactly?

Is it possible to connect using your browser, let the ad play then minimize your browser and connect to a PPTP tunnel, for example?

 

[EagleKeeper]

I do not know the specifics on how their access is handled.

From my limited viewpoint, it is no different than when I atttached to the WiFi at the hotel.

I connect through some proxie (that I have been verified against).

When I first attempt to connect to a website, the airport/hotel control screen pops up and walks me through their predefined scenario.
At the end of the walkthrough, they allow me to then type in/select the URLs that I need to get to.

I can use FTP and also get into VPNs.

 

[Rubycon]

Well if VPN works and the concentrator is set to allow remote gateway you're all set!

 

[dandruff]

KANSAS CIY / MCI has it too for the last 3 yrs iirc

 

[PowerEngineer]

Free Wifi at Portland (PDX); has been for many years and no obnoxious ad stuff like Denver.

 

[Mahaguru]

I don't get the boingo stuff, so much hassle just to pay them and log on. I tried to create an account but it said that the account already existed. So I tried to guess the password. After 3 unsuccesful tries I got locked and the website told me to call customer service.

Tell you what, how about I don't bother, and you don't get any money.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: PowerEngineer

Free Wifi at Portland (PDX); has been for many years and no obnoxious ad stuff like Denver.

 

[TheVrolok]

Sitting in Charlotte (CTL) right now, surfing for free!

 

[Homerboy]

I simply do not see why people think it should be free. I don't see a single good legitimate reason in here.