Ad-Hoc Network on Plane
 

Okay, just want to get reaction to this.

When I travel with certain clients, all of us fly together from one airport. We are usually sitting together but at times some of us get upgraded to First/Business and others move to exit rows (as we are all Frequent Travlers and have Silver/Gold/Plat on a few airlines). We all have Apple 12'' Power Books and one person once in air starts a Comptuer-to-Comptuer network and we can all join in and use Rendezvous and chat to eachother while listeing to iTunes (the best Music program out there), watching movies, etc.

Since they say that cell phones do not harm the airplane at all now, would this be considered harmful? And has anyone else done this? It is quite fun to do (only done twice) and there are no rules saying that you can't as of yet, might change tomorrow after someone reads this post.

Any ideas or comments? It is the start of the 'airline internet' in a way since Boeing and Airbus are working on thier own versions of wireless net.

edit - and it keeps us from the isles so they can server a drink and peanut.

Consider that the Conexxion by Boeing product is based upon 802.11b wireless, I would assume that it doesn't interfere with aircraft systems at all.

However, it's up to each carrier to decide whether you can use a certain technology on board (GPS is a good example - some carriers expressly allow and some don't).

I wouldn't worry about it.

may be a no-no
 

Within the last 3 months I heard the FA specifically prohibit wi-fi--I can't remember whether it was NW or DL.

Good question - given Connexion I doubt that there is much issue but I never pushed my luck.

On a related noted, my wifi was active when I turned on my PocketPC on a recent Continental flight. Interestingly a network called "airnet" registered on my system but I could not access it. Anyone have an idea what it might be?

The FAA and or airlines probably don't want it active on account it is a broadcasting spectrum that, while it might not be anywhere near the broadcast spectrums the airplane itself uses, is a potential source of interference. So they prefer to be safe then sorry.

So if you do it, I'd keep it low-key. Never know if a computer-savy FA might walk by and recognize an IM client running or if a few people start taunting each other across the rows while playing Doom 3 over Wi-Fi might call attention to one's actions. :)

On my recent AA flights, they've specifically mentioned that you have to disable the wireless features of any devices you wish to use.

Thats really odd seeing from what I understand of GPS technology it's not like you are transmitting as a client just merely receiving and triangulation your position.

most people leave it on
 

and don't have a clue how to actually "turn off" the 802.11x antenna that is in their laptop, so I have no idea how they would enforce an 802.11x ban on planes

I've been wanting to try this for a while, but the band uses Mac while I use a PC. Any idea on how to do chat across platforms?

Frapo
SJU

Yes, but don't you see how a terorrist could obviously use such a device!?!

A lot of times the old "security" chorus line excuse is trotted out, as mentioned in other threads.

Well, of course, just like pretty much every other electronics rule/regulation.

Just heard on the radio that the FCC and FAA are going to allow airlines to let passengers use WiFi on planes (I assume for services like Boeing's Connexion), so this might be a moot point soon. :)

Yeah, and hopefully someday, the morons over at the Irish Civil Aviation Authority will finally allow the use of CD playes onboard Aer Lingus aircraft.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380597

I'm just wondering if and when an airplane is equipped with Connexion technology, whether any modifications to the existing electronics of the plane are made to reduce any interference?

In any regard, at a company I used to work for several years ago, I had a battery powered ethernet hub where the 2 or 3 of us would connect our PowerBooks into and play marathon infinity at 30,000 feet! :D Made for great fun, nothing more gratifying than sending a spanker missile to the boss and see him getting blown to bits! :cool: If only we had wireless networks back then, it would have made seating arrangements a lot easier!

Ad Hoc on the plane is a great idea to save costs. Plus as you say you could play network games from anywhere in the plane.