Apparently this is still a legal connection per 2 US agents. I will hightail it if i need to

A thread currently in the mid-Atlantic forum raises a good question that would be nice to answer here...where in PHL (both landside and airside) can you buy a pre-paid SIM card.

Anyone know?

(Link to original thread...Cellphone/Wireless Store PHL Airport

I'm not sure if one can purchase SIM cards there, but Airport Wireless in A-West, B, and C has various mobile/audio accessories and is probably the most likely bet. I will be at PHL next week, and if I remember, I will stop in and ask and update my post.

The PHL shopping website also says there is a place called Tech Showplace in the D-E connector, which I can't remember anything about.

There isn't much of anything landside, as far as I remember.

Continuing the Chickie & Pete converstaion with a the earlier comments...There is a Chickie & Pete's in A. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the crab fries (Huge serving) and the crab cake! Very good place to spend a layover or get soemthing to eat before taking off!

Tech Showplace has closed, I believe (unless they moved, though no sign to indicate that)

Would anyone happen to know the availability of power outlets....
Arriving on US Airways (east side) departing on US Airways (west side), I would like to charge some electronics during my 4 hour layover....In some airports, it seems like there are power outlets all over the place, and in others I can't find many outlets, let alone one that it unused.

How is PHL? Might one of the coffee shops have power outlets?
Thanks

Not great. There are some in the food court in the connector between B and C. Its a little skimpier in the gate areas.

Southwest has outlets in terminal E but that is a bit of a walk for you.

As others had stated really hit and miss. In the food court away from the terminal walkway to the left and right their may be some against the wall, and possibly near the support columns. As to the gates in the "B" and "C" terminals look in the corners near the walls. I have found them at those locations at a number of gates.

Generally, in the B and C terminals, if you can find a gate that doesn't have a flight departing from it for a while, you'll be able to find an outlet behind the seats. Look for other people with laptops or phones plugged in. A West and F can be a bit more hit or miss - in the case of the former, if you're there, you're likely to be there when it's busy, and F has small gate areas without a lot of outlets.

I also just realized I will be arriving in C actually, and departing from A-east, so I will definitely be able to use your helpful advice, thanks.

Very few airlines fly to Atlantic City, and I presume that US Air is not one of them?

If I fly to PHL (in my case from YOW), and I want to go to Atlantic City without renting a car, how can I do so?

US used to (pre-2003 or so) fly from PHL and BWI to ACY. Without renting a car, getting to Atlantic City is more of a pain than it's worth.

Airport terminal rail station -> 30th Street Station -> NJ Transit connection -> Atlantic City Rail Line -> taxi or Jitney to hotel or casino of choice.

One word for that:

Can you get to YYZ and fly WS to ACY?

Yes, I am aware of Westjet's (WS) service from YYZ - and I could theoretically fly from YOW to YYZ, also on WS, before connecting onto the YYZ to ACY flight.

But I want to take take advantage of the perks I get as a Star Alliance Gold member (SuperElite with Air Canada's Aeroplan) - perhaps by flying US Air (or I might even fly Air Canada from YOW to YYZ, and then on another AC flight from there to PHL!).

I presume that there is no bus service from PHL to ACY. Obviously, I am not interested in taking the tedious method of surface transportation from PHL to ACY that you are describing. If I were to rent a car, what is the driving time and distance, between these 2 cities?

There is bus service, but it is about as convenient as the aforementioned rail option as it does not depart nonstop from the airport. I would rent a car. Time varies on time of day, as in avoidance of Philadelphia's outbound rush hour (4-630pm). Assuming no traffic, you can do PHL rental car pickup to Atlantic City proper in about 90 minutes inclusive of time at the car counter. Distance is ~70 miles/113km. Google says 65.2 miles, but add on some for leaving the car rental property, etc.

The rail connection from PHL-ACY is not bad at all.
When you arrive at PHL, walk to the Center City Rail Line Station (inside the airport) closest to your arrival terminal. Take the train to Amtrak 30th Street Station (about 20 minutes). Once in the station (one of the largest in the U.S.) go to the information booth and ask where to get NJ Transit Trains to Atlantic City (there are 12 or 13 a day - see schedule below). The ACY train takes about 1.5 hours and ends at the Atlantic City Convention Center - about 3/4 mile from the Boardwalk. Free buses (I believe they are still free) meet every train and go to the Boardwalk and/or select casinos. Returning, the buses leave certain casinos about 30 minutes before every train departure time. Just make certain you check inside your casino for specific return locations and times. If you rent a car, your paying for a less than 70 mile one way drive of between 1.5 and 2.5 hours depending on Philadelphia commuter traffic. You'll likely not use your car at all in Atlantic City and may have to pay for parking it. There are many buses direct from Center City Philadelphia to Atlantic city - but that indeed would be a hassle for someone unfamiliar with the area.

http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/r0090.pdf