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Old Apr 24, 2014, 6:22 am
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10,000 foot WiFI Policy

Why is the 10,000 wi-fi policy still in place at United? Today from Chicago, it took about 20 minutes before wi-fi was available and then it get's cut off 15 minutes before landing. I would have thought this changed when the use of devices changed? Thoughts?
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 6:37 am
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The FAA has given permission for the airlines to allow WiFi operations while in flight, which some already do now. But WiFi will still be limited to altitudes above 10,000 feet and could be disabled when the pilot feels it's necessary.
http://www.eweek.com/mobile/new-faa-...turned-on.html
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 7:21 am
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Originally Posted by jpsj
Why is the 10,000 wi-fi policy still in place at United? Today from Chicago, it took about 20 minutes before wi-fi was available and then it get's cut off 15 minutes before landing. I would have thought this changed when the use of devices changed? Thoughts?
I find that the wifi doesnt turn on for me
After
10K feet- it takes almost a full 20 minutes as you
Said,
Well after the plane reaches the 10k altitude
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 7:28 am
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GoGo usually works right at 10,000 feet.

But United WiFi takes forever to sync up. Even if they turned it on earlier, it probably would take forever to get a signal.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 7:35 am
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I never got wi-fi signal on UA 747.

Will try again next month ORD-PVG.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 7:37 am
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Define "sync up." Is it the purchase process? I've not had issues connecting to wifi so I can check flight status or united mobile once we hit 10k feet.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 7:54 am
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Originally Posted by gobluetwo
Define "sync up." Is it the purchase process? I've not had issues connecting to wifi so I can check flight status or united mobile once we hit 10k feet.
No, it's the process of establishing an Internet connection between the aircraft and the satellite. You can't view the United mobile site either until this process is complete.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 8:07 am
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Originally Posted by planemechanic
Rationale is that landing/takeoff under 10000 feet are the two riskiest stages of flight, with less opportunity to correct any interference that might arise.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 8:25 am
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Do all other airlines follow the same procedure?
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 8:41 am
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Originally Posted by jpsj
Do all other airlines follow the same procedure?
AA does follow the 10,000 feet rule
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 8:41 am
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Originally Posted by jpsj
Do all other airlines follow the same procedure?
Yes.

US policy states
Internet is available once you're above 10,000 feet – listen for the flight attendant's announcement.
https://www.usairways.com/en-US/trav...eair/wifi.html

DL policy states
Keep your e-readers, tablets, and smartphones in airplane mode from gate to gate and continue enjoying Wi-Fi above 10,000 feet.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...echnology.html

Also, this article states:
Gogo’s air-to-ground Wi-Fi system, used by Air Canada, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, and Virgin America, is currently engineered to start working at 10,000 feet and that won’t be changing anytime soon, says Gogo spokesperson Steve Nolan.
http://skift.com/2013/10/31/in-fligh...ow-10000-feet/
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 9:11 am
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Originally Posted by jpsj
Do all other airlines follow the same procedure?
It is an FAA regulation, so one should assume all WiFi enabled carriers would be required to do so.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 9:14 am
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Originally Posted by WIRunner
It is an FAA regulation, so one should assume all WiFi enabled carriers would be required to do so.
WN was claiming late last year that they were offering gate-to-gate WiFi:

http://allthingsd.com/20131120/south...wi-fi-service/
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 10:24 am
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It's limited to 10,000 feet because that's what it was approved for. United did say they were investigating extending the approval to all altitudes, which is only possible because it's a satellite system. Gogo isn't designed for under 10k so will never work there.
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Old Apr 24, 2014, 10:37 am
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What does this mean?

Originally Posted by channa
United flight attendant to me when I poured a cup of water in First Class: "Let me get you a glass. Don't be givin' Jeff no ideas."
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