MilesBuzz! - internet/e-mail working stations at airports/lounges

I stopped carrying my laptop around the world (and always having the wrong connection cables with me). I only have my Palm III (but without the web-connection-supplements).

When I wait at airports I am often tempted to check emails, the headlines of my local Zurich newspaper and - yes I admit it - to surf for some minutes on FlyerTalk.

I have little problems to find (costly) working possibilities in business-centers at my hotels.

But I didn't find yet find fully equipped stations in airports.

I know at SFO the QuickMail-stations (a year ago there was also one, for free, at that horrible Red Carpet after security). I appreciate the free surfing at AC's lounges (so far I know only the one in Vancouver). I know also the station at the Frankfurt Red Carpet (very costly).

What other locations in airport/airport-lounges do you know in the US and in Canada?

At SFO, I've used the QuickAid (I think thats what its called) terminals at the gates (around the gates numbered in the 80s, I believe) that offer web and e-mail access for $2.50 for 10 minutes. Upside: convenient. Downside: No chairs or privacy and 25 cents/minute.

Hmmm..is that the same as Quickmail station???

Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver have great, free, unlimited Internet access. I've personally been to all of them (except Edmonton) and have been quite satisfied with the computers and the connection speeds. In fact many of my posts on FlyerTalk originated at the Maple Leaf lounge in Toronto.

Don't forget the business centres in the new Maple Leaf Lounges in Calgary and Halifax. The only place I haven't been able to get on (lounge busy) to computers is at Vancouver around suppertime. Have used computer access in lounges in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto (transborder and domestic), Montreal (international and domestic), Halifax. Great to have free internet access, free drinks and free food.

BA have an 'Office Centre' at T1 Heathrow.

It provides: PC's with MS-Office; Free Internet access, faxing, scanning, copying and printing; Modem connections; telephones.

www.computacentre.com/balounge


Nick

PS: I think they are opening (it may already have opened) one at T4 and Gatwick as well.

The NW lounges I've seen at DTW have internet terminals for free (PCs running Win3.1/Citrix) but the signs say "temporary".

Many of the CO lounges I have seen have broken computers or broken equipment purporting to offer access, but I've never gotten anything to work.

Internet ready terminals are also available at the bar in Terminal A at EWR (How do I know? I normally stop in there for a Sam Adams to "ease" me into the flight!)

The terminals have a lot of advertising for Tanquierry (SP?) and other liquors. I believe they cost six dollars an hour (I just glanced at them... and both were taken!)

It would nice to ahve these stations available around the terminals so I can avoid coming home to 49 messages and three days of FlyerTalk news and rumors to sort through!
CATMAN

My company did a quickie survey about 1 year ago on doing internet kiosks in airports that centered around airline lounges (not "public" access).

Two major drawbacks:

(1) Equipment upkeep (subcontracting nationwide) and equipment abuse problems

(2) Lack of demand

Maybe we should dust off the plan? I know *all* of us "regulars" go through FlyerTalk withdrawal syndrome (FTWS), right?! ;-}

Delta has computers in the main Crown Room Club in A Concourse in Atlanta. They are nice looking HP's with flat panel displays, internet access, and I believe a printer. I have never been able to get to one though ... always busy.

The Admiral's Clubs in SJC, SFO, DFW, MIA, JFK, ORD, and STL all have HP Business Centers with Internet access. I am not sure where else you can get it as I have not been to any of the Admiral's Clubs and always just go to the Admiral's Clubs

There's web access at Marriott's restaurant in the American Airlines / Virgin Atlantic / Delta Shuttle Terminal B at Boston's Logan Airport. I believe it costs six dollars an hour.

Lan Chile's lounge at Santiago has full internet access. Very fine local finger food and great wine to go along with that as well. Very easy to pass time there.

My former definition of REAL first class service: Give me a shot that knocks me out as I approach the airport and another one to wake me up after I am checked into my hotel room.

My new definition of REAL first class service: real-time Internet access on the plane so I can check up the flyertalk board IN FLIGHT!

I'm still waiting for either service to come about, THEN I'll consider spending $2000 for a transcontinental ticket.

Yes Matt, QuickMail = QuickAid. It has been a very long time since my last visit to SFO (more than 40 days) - please excuse my bad memorization.

What a great idea MATT! I went through FTWS
(as my friend Onefreeman described) during my trip to Texas. Tough to find a computer out there at those Wal-Marts! CATMAN