The DigEplayer Dirge: Da DAAA, Da DAAA, Da DAAA, Da DAAA...I've Got You, Babe...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, UA 2P
Posts: 1,453

Why does Alaska Airlines insist on using the DigEplayer to make every day I fly Groundhog Day? The damn thing hsn't been changed in close to two months, during with time I've flown close to 20,000 miles with the accursed thing. I've seen everything multiple times, including some of its lesser-watched fare: if I sit through The Banzi Pipeline one more time, my brain will implode.
What is so bloody hard about rotating DigEplayer content more than once every two bloody months? Failing that, why not load DigEplayer machines with alternating content, e.g., a version 'a' and a version 'b'? Failing that, why not install power points so we need not suffer through Garfield Gets Real?
What is so bloody hard about rotating DigEplayer content more than once every two bloody months? Failing that, why not load DigEplayer machines with alternating content, e.g., a version 'a' and a version 'b'? Failing that, why not install power points so we need not suffer through Garfield Gets Real?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 37,788
C'mon, you know you keep replaying the theme to Hawaii Five-0 (as I did a few times yesterday). I kept picking through each menu time and time again, snippets of most songs, and the "current" movie selections really suck.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, UA 2P
Posts: 1,453
Busted. As an aside, on yesterday's BOS-SEA flight, the two month-old episode of Family Guy I'd been memorizing the dialogue to had not been loaded. Instead, I was treated to a four month-old episode of Geek Chic.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP (1K), Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 53
You are not alone! Last summer, I attended a focus group for MVPG. Overwhelmingly, the group begged for more frequent movie changes. When DigE Players first came out, films and features changed monthly. Now, it's more like quartely, with some films returning way too often. I mean, is "Ice Age" so great that we need to have it on the list nearly non-stop?
At any rate, I've pretty much given up on them. I bring my iPod and a nice, thick book. Those, I can change as often as I like.
At any rate, I've pretty much given up on them. I bring my iPod and a nice, thick book. Those, I can change as often as I like.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
One MacBook and two batteries for me.
As a side note, I can sympathize with the OP...
As a side note, I can sympathize with the OP...
Last edited by eastwest; Jan 28, 08 at 3:14 pm Reason: ubb typo
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 243
Although I may not fly as frequently as some others around here, I usually catch the same content at least three times/year. The worst in my opinion is no change between Nov and Dec - so if you travel for both turkey day and xmas you are treated to the same entertainment.
May not be a big deal on flights 3 hrs or less (time for only 1 movie), but when you're flying ORD-ANC you can get in at least 2.5 movies and I've fit three short ones in a couple of times. That's when the content REALLY starts to get old.
May not be a big deal on flights 3 hrs or less (time for only 1 movie), but when you're flying ORD-ANC you can get in at least 2.5 movies and I've fit three short ones in a couple of times. That's when the content REALLY starts to get old.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: Hertz 5*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Platinum, AS, UA, CO, AA
Posts: 342
...if I sit through The Banzi Pipeline one more time, my brain will implode.


#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines


Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,804
Although I may not fly as frequently as some others around here, I usually catch the same content at least three times/year. The worst in my opinion is no change between Nov and Dec - so if you travel for both turkey day and xmas you are treated to the same entertainment.
May not be a big deal on flights 3 hrs or less (time for only 1 movie), but when you're flying ORD-ANC you can get in at least 2.5 movies and I've fit three short ones in a couple of times. That's when the content REALLY starts to get old.
May not be a big deal on flights 3 hrs or less (time for only 1 movie), but when you're flying ORD-ANC you can get in at least 2.5 movies and I've fit three short ones in a couple of times. That's when the content REALLY starts to get old.
I do carry a laptop with extra battery, but it is nice to watch content I haven't seen before, and to not use my machine as much.
Last edited by beckoa; Jan 28, 08 at 5:13 pm Reason: Added laptop info
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,147
I travel with a minimum of one print and one audiobook available per flight. Last time I flew First, those who chose DigE's encountered several dead batteries, including my seat opponent whose first and second ones were duds.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, UA 2P
Posts: 1,453
If anyone is flying ANC-ORD this evening and sees cerebrospinal fluid dripping out of my ears, please stop me from lip syncing to Dive Ollie Dive.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: HIO
Programs: AS MVPG 75K (Pure AS)
Posts: 194

I, too, was delighted when the Five-0 was added -- what does it say that the best programming on the digEPlayer is the theme song? If you see some guy bouncing around his seat in a decidedly arhythmic way, it could be someone needing the lav...or it's me, and I'm listening to it again.
But I thought they kept it in the rotation to renew Americans' interest in the sciences. After all, there's gotta be some unknown property of physics that allows Jack Lord to whip his head around that quickly and not disturb a single hair...
But I thought they kept it in the rotation to renew Americans' interest in the sciences. After all, there's gotta be some unknown property of physics that allows Jack Lord to whip his head around that quickly and not disturb a single hair...
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 37,788

Now, I never remember those credit card "authorization" machines that were used to buy all the equipment. All I remember is the little booklets, and calling cards in if they were over a store floor limit.
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,156
Do they still stock spare batteries on the flights? On the flight I took, they just handed me a new one when the battery was dead, but I could see this being a problem if lots of people want the digeplayers.
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines


Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
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Posts: 42,804
I've had them die on me mid-flight as well, and as they do stock spares, they are not always charged, as I've had more than one dead one given to me as a replacement...