I have been lurking on the forums for a while now, since I started a SLC-LAX weekly commute this year, and I wanted to make a small contribution.
I discovered a software/internet service called PlayLater that allows you to legally record streaming content for later viewing. I use this to record shows that you would normally only have access to while connected to the internet like netflix. A couple of conisderations:
1. You must be running vista, xp, or windows 7, BUT you can record in MPEG 4 format and view it through iTunes on your iPad.
2. You are actually recording, not just downloading, so a 50 minute show takes 50 minutes to record. The software has some nice features including a recording queue though, so I just record a few episodes of Top Gear the night before my flight and transfer them to my ipad the next morning.
website:
http://www.playlater.tv/