Forced T-Mobile Subscription in RCCs
Aug 24, 2006, 9:55 pm
#1
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Forced T-Mobile Subscription in RCCs
Am I alone to be highly annoyed to not have any internet access in RCCs? In addition, I'm a 1K. As a business traveler, I find having access to the internet a necessity.
I don't think that we should be forced to subscribe to T-Mobile's costly toll gate in RCCs, in order to access the internet to check one's e-mail. At the very least, I think that there should be terminals for this, but really, if we're 1K or Premier Exec, or even Premier and an RCC member, we should not have to pay for this.
I travel to Europe routinely and there's no charge for this in Oslo, Vienna and other cities.
I don't think that we should be forced to subscribe to T-Mobile's costly toll gate in RCCs, in order to access the internet to check one's e-mail. At the very least, I think that there should be terminals for this, but really, if we're 1K or Premier Exec, or even Premier and an RCC member, we should not have to pay for this.
I travel to Europe routinely and there's no charge for this in Oslo, Vienna and other cities.
Aug 24, 2006, 9:58 pm
#2
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The RCCs are a really bad deal. CO, NW, and AS all offer free Internet in their clubs. I understand DL is considering the same. All of CO, NW, DL, and AS also have free drinks in their lounges, which UA does not.
The RCC amenities are a joke by comparison.
The RCC amenities are a joke by comparison.
Aug 24, 2006, 10:44 pm
#3
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Have your company investigate getting an iPass account for your laptop. iPass allows pay-per-minute roaming on a variety of wireless providers, including all T-Mobile as welll as the provider for the concourses at ORD. It's not free, but it's cheap (I believe we pay $0.07/minute) so if you're just going to download e-mail, you're looking at less than the tip to the bartender for a couple of diet cokes.
Aug 24, 2006, 10:49 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by dbehr
Am I alone to be highly annoyed to not have any internet access in RCCs? In addition, I'm a 1K. As a business traveler, I find having access to the internet a necessity.
I don't think that we should be forced to subscribe to T-Mobile's costly toll gate in RCCs, in order to access the internet to check one's e-mail. At the very least, I think that there should be terminals for this, but really, if we're 1K or Premier Exec, or even Premier and an RCC member, we should not have to pay for this.
I travel to Europe routinely and there's no charge for this in Oslo, Vienna and other cities.
I don't think that we should be forced to subscribe to T-Mobile's costly toll gate in RCCs, in order to access the internet to check one's e-mail. At the very least, I think that there should be terminals for this, but really, if we're 1K or Premier Exec, or even Premier and an RCC member, we should not have to pay for this.
I travel to Europe routinely and there's no charge for this in Oslo, Vienna and other cities.
Wireless access cost money in most lounges in Europe. There are a couple of free ones, SQ LHR lounge and BMI lounge at MAN comes to mind.
Let me put it like this: I will never pay for a RCC membership, even if it's only 300 bucks. Not worth it. But if we could get a 1 hrs coupon for free internet, I may consider it
Aug 25, 2006, 12:05 am
#5
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Originally Posted by ElmhurstNick
Have your company investigate getting an iPass account for your laptop. iPass allows pay-per-minute roaming on a variety of wireless providers, including all T-Mobile as welll as the provider for the concourses at ORD. It's not free, but it's cheap (I believe we pay $0.07/minute) so if you're just going to download e-mail, you're looking at less than the tip to the bartender for a couple of diet cokes.
IPASS rocks! My company has it on our laptops, and I use it to access the internet everywhere. My company pays for RCC access also...so I don't have a lot to complain about.
Aug 25, 2006, 12:51 am
#6
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Don't forget RCC provides FREE local and 800 number calls. You can use those numbers to call dial up for free. It may not be fast, but at least you can check emails and whatnot.
Aug 25, 2006, 1:02 am
#7
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Originally Posted by tommy777
Wireless access cost money in most lounges in Europe. There are a couple of free ones, SQ LHR lounge and BMI lounge at MAN comes to mind.
And even if you have to pay for access, at least the drinks are ALWAYS free, which lessens the pain.
Aug 25, 2006, 1:06 am
#8
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Originally Posted by BlissWorld
Don't forget RCC provides FREE local and 800 number calls. You can use those numbers to call dial up for free. It may not be fast, but at least you can check emails and whatnot.
I am also very tired of RCC, and look forward to any chance to access other SA lounges, such as Maple Leaf Lounge... Sooooo much better, with real food, free internet, etc.
Aug 25, 2006, 1:10 am
#9
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I do really wish the RCC would adopt a real wireless solution. It would give me the incentive to renew prior to Feb '07, which is when I currently plan to do so to take advantage of the 1K rates before I revert to 1P.
Aug 25, 2006, 3:23 am
#10
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Originally Posted by BlissWorld
Don't forget RCC provides FREE local and 800 number calls. You can use those numbers to call dial up for free. It may not be fast, but at least you can check emails and whatnot.
In any case, wi-fi should be free. It costs practically nothing to set up and maintain, especially when you are collecting $400 a year for membership.
United's policy on this is about 5 years behind the times. They need to come up to speed. Wi-fi is a necessity, not a perk.
Aug 25, 2006, 3:38 am
#11
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Originally Posted by ElmhurstNick
Have your company investigate getting an iPass account for your laptop. iPass allows pay-per-minute roaming on a variety of wireless providers..
me then!
Originally Posted by kuroneko
I haven't found this to be the case. The ONLY time I've had to pay for wireless is the Lufthansa lounge in Munich. Every other time, I've found wireless to be free. (I live in Europe)..
The only two free access nodes I am familiar with are the LX lounge in ZRH (terminals
only) and the SK lounge in CPH.
I too think that it is unacceptable not to provide access to the Nets of Nets
other than through a very dodhy company such as T-Mobile.
Aug 25, 2006, 4:21 am
#12
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Originally Posted by auggie doggie
IPASS rocks! My company has it on our laptops, and I use it to access the internet everywhere. My company pays for RCC access also...so I don't have a lot to complain about.
Aug 25, 2006, 4:41 am
#13
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Originally Posted by wxguy
About a month ago, iPass stopped working in RCCs with the T-Mobile. Then about two weeks ago, the iPass entries for T-Mobile disappeared from the updated phone book lists. I think their agreement may have expired. Arrrrggghhhhhh.
Aug 25, 2006, 5:20 am
#14
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"Forced" subscription? 
I don't know which RCCs you go to or which entrances of them you use, but I don't recall ever being greeted by armed escort with gun to head - "You WILL subscribe to HotSpot!"
Last time I looked Wifi access was primarily dependent on two things: receiving range, and security access.
If you have neither in the RCC, then I don't think it's so bad that the RCC gives you the OPTION of T-Mobile, especially when you can buy a DAY PASS (as in. you DON'T HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE).
I don't know which RCCs you go to or which entrances of them you use, but I don't recall ever being greeted by armed escort with gun to head - "You WILL subscribe to HotSpot!"
Last time I looked Wifi access was primarily dependent on two things: receiving range, and security access.
If you have neither in the RCC, then I don't think it's so bad that the RCC gives you the OPTION of T-Mobile, especially when you can buy a DAY PASS (as in. you DON'T HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE).
Aug 25, 2006, 6:23 am
#15
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Originally Posted by channa
The RCCs are a really bad deal. CO, NW, and AS all offer free Internet in their clubs. I understand DL is considering the same. All of CO, NW, DL, and AS also have free drinks in their lounges, which UA does not.
The RCC amenities are a joke by comparison.
The RCC amenities are a joke by comparison.
UA's IFL has to be the worst among majors. This is the place for someone who paid a $15,000 F ticket.
