Southwest Rapid Rewards - USB Ports in gate area?

So I am trying to understand why WN put USB ports in the gate area. If they want to provide internet the best way to do it is WI-FI. If for some reason they want to provide a 'hard' connection they should have eithernet ports not USB. Anyone know the purpose of the USB ports?

I think it's to power/charge USB devices.

well I would think that power ports would be most useful, I doubt many people carry usb cables for their phones.

I think it's to power/charge USB devices.

well I would think that power ports would be most useful, I doubt many people carry usb cables for their phones.

The charging stations have both.

well I would think that power ports would be most useful, I doubt many people carry usb cables for their phones.


Actually, I do. I have USB cables for all of my "portables" (cell, mp3 and pda). I usually charge them off of my laptop, thus saving a bunch of power adapters.

I usually carry all my USB cables and one USB power adapter.

Don't forget, they're not calling them USB Ports, they're calling them "USB Portlets". My guess is power only for charging iPods, cell phones, or USB powered George Foreman grills (http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/looflirpa/igrill.shtml).

I too try to recharge everything possible via USB, sure beats carrying all of the adapters and transformers...

The new power stations are getting a healthy workout in PHX this evening. One by me. :) Thanks WN.

Don't forget, they're not calling them USB Ports, they're calling them "USB Portlets". My guess is power only for charging iPods, cell phones, or USB powered George Foreman grills (http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/looflirpa/igrill.shtml).

^ find, ahecht! Given the lack of hot food on WN (and most domestic flights) this could become the next great "thing". And it will fit in my laptop case. :D

Don't forget, they're not calling them USB Ports, they're calling them "USB Portlets". My guess is power only for charging iPods, cell phones, or USB powered George Foreman grills (http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/looflirpa/igrill.shtml).

Those grills only work if you plug into a laptop with the special Lithium ion batteries that catch fire.

USB powered George Foreman grills (http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/looflirpa/igrill.shtml).

Correct me if i am wrong but George Foreman Grills are not a prohibited electronic devise so there is no reason I shouldn't be able to BBQ steak in-flight.

Correct me if i am wrong but George Foreman Grills are not a prohibited electronic devise so there is no reason I shouldn't be able to BBQ steak in-flight.

Then you can offer it for sale to your neighbors. If the Flight Attendant questions you, just say that you are adding "ancillary revenue" to offset the increased cost of flying. :p

Correct me if i am wrong but George Foreman Grills are not a prohibited electronic devise so there is no reason I shouldn't be able to BBQ steak in-flight.
It doesn't matter, you have no way to power them in-flight.

The USB Portlets being discussed here are at the gate, not on the plane.

The grill being discussed can only be powered from USB, not charged from USB.

And the grill as discussed at the linked website (unfortunately there are no specs there) only says you can power it from your "home or office PC". No mention of a laptop, and I doubt the average laptop running off of batteries has enough current coming out of the USB port to run this. (There's a lot more USB power capacity in a tower PC than in a battery-powered laptop.)

(And even airlines that have power ports on the plane typically have a max of 75W from those power ports. Doesn't even support the most power-hungry laptops. I thus have some doubts it would support this grill...)

So you'll have to BBQ at the gate, not on the plane.

It doesn't matter, you have no way to power them in-flight...So you'll have to BBQ at the gate, not on the plane.

My brother's friend has one of these and uses it through his laptop all the time (although not on airplanes). It does take a while to heat up. Apparently, the high voltage capacitors convert the USB output to bursts of high energy which heats the teflon coated surface.

Maybe WN should have some made in their Canyon Blue, gold, red and orange livery. BS pax could be given one to use during their flight. (Like some airlines give personal DVD players.) Although with the issues regarding customer dress, customer cooking might create more problems. :rolleyes:

My brother's friend has one of these and uses it through his laptop all the time (although not on airplanes). It does take a while to heat up. Apparently, the high voltage capacitors convert the USB output to bursts of high energy which heats the teflon coated surface.

You've gotta be kidding. I thought the whole thing was a spoof!