Originally Posted by
Taiwaned
Just curious
That seems to be a lot of weight everybody is carrying.
Ipod, extra battery, laptop, noise canceling earphones etc. With all the necessary chargers.
Not really.
The iPod is a shirt-pocket device. When I'm weight conscious, I carry my Etymotic earbuds, which couldn't weigh more than an ounce or so and come in a neat little pouch which is also a shirt-pocket item. I always travel with a laptop, so charging the iPod isn't an issue, but I'll also carry my Acer Aspire One netbook when it's a short trip or I don't want to be weight down. The netbook was a couple of pound. Instead of the provided charger for the Asipire, I use Kensington universal power supply that weighs very little and is flat and small (I also use one with my full-feature notebook, a Sony Vaio). All of the devices I carry have USB ports, so I bring a long a tiny 7-port USB hub. This requires a tiny power wart, but it's small and light. My Blackberry, which can play music and movies, would travel with me regardless, so there's no additional weight from using it in-flight.
The whole trick to comfortable frequent travel for me is to find ways to maximize utility while minimizing weight.
For me, IFE is handy to kill time not necessarily to entertain me.
So if the IFE is not working, as long as they can give me free gin and tonics then I really don't think it is that important at all.
I prefer vodka drinks, but I also find them to be adequate amusement. The only time I'll really load up with carry-on personal IFE is when I have a transpac. 16+ hours in the air usually entails watching a movie or two on my laptop, listening to music as a way to sleep (aided by said vodka drinks), possibly doing some writing (I've decided to write a film script -- hey, why not?) and, if I'm lucky enough to have Mrs. PTravel along, playing with her (though she prefers to sleep).