I just took a one-week airline trip on a tight schedule. Airports included the Atlanta, Denver, Kearney, NE, Cincinnati, Boston and Tri-Cities, TN. Because I insist on taking the first flight out of my origin airport each day, my week included arising one morning at 3:00, another at 3:30, once at 5:00 and once at 5:30. That’s tough on a fat old man, but over the years it has avoided many missed flights and more than a few unplanned RONs.
I have a question: How many major U.S.A. airports still charge for Wi-Fi service? Over the years we’ve seen many airports start off with Wi-Fi fees, but most now provide this as a free service for customers. That certainly is a boon for those of us too cheap to pay yet frustrated when we can’t plug up.
Atlanta seems to be the last holdout but good news is on the way. ATL’s current website announces that the airport is “100 percent committed to quickly finding ways to remove fees as a barrier to WiFi access without eliminating the great service that customers expect.” Sounds good to me!
All in all, it was a good trip. All flights departed and arrived on time or better; and all airports had good signage, ample shops of all types and made it easy to change flights quickly. TSA worked quickly and politely. It’s probably time for us to quit blaming everything on TSA.
What a great change has occurred since the horrible mess we had after 9/11. The progress is nothing short of amazing and all parts of the system deserve our appreciation.
About the Author
Ralph Hood
Certified Speaking Professional
Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University.
Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico.
- Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association
- Past member, National Ethics Committee, National Speakers Association
- Past president of Alabama Speakers Association
- Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame
- Past National Marketing Mentor, AOPA Project Pilot