May 29--They're on the prowl throughout South Florida airports -- passengers on the lookout for somewhere to plug in their smartphones, tablets and laptops.
"I have found myself wandering around airports trying to find outlets anywhere," said Stephanie Richards, Palm Beach International Airport's marketing director. "Where can I plug this in? I just need 15 minutes."
For passengers at PBIA, the hunt for a source of electrical relief will become a lot easier as the airport installs some 28 charging stations throughout the airport. Each station will have multiple ports where people can plug it, take a seat and relax.
The airport is meeting a demand that airports across the country are trying to deal with. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, electrical outlets are being added at every opportunity.
"That's one of our top requests by customers: 'Can you get more outlets?'" said Greg Meyer, spokesman for the Broward County Aviation Department.
A few years ago, the airport took out its aquariums and replaced them with charging stations. Sometimes passengers will have two to three devices plugged in, which really isn't fair to other passengers, Meyer said.
Some airlines have resorted to putting in their own charging stations, while some passengers are carrying around their own mini power strips so they can charge multiple devices.
"Everyone seems to have an electrical device they want to charge before they get on the plane," Meyer said. "There doesn't seem to be an end in sight."
Throughout its four terminals, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International has more than 400 electrical outlets. But as the airport's terminals are modernized, the number of outlets will increase by 50 percent over the next two years.
Palm Beach International will install its charging stations by the summer. Clear Channel, the airport's advertising vendor, is paying for the stations. While some airports charge passengers to power up their devices at these stations, they will be free to use at PBIA, Richards said.
Each waiting area in the airport will have a charging station.
"Instead of having to find that outlet on the wall or next to the Coke machine, there will be a place to plug in phones and sit down next to it," Richards said.
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