The interior of an aircraft used to be one of the only places on the planet where you could turn your Blackberry off, unplug your laptop, and catch a few Zs. We were challenged to embrace stillness and moments void of the typical distractions. It was time that wasn’t always the most comfortable for us, but in the end, it was good for us.
But now that most airlines are beginning to experiment with offering wireless internet on their flights, that space is about to lose some of its rarity. For the low low price of around $10, you’ll be able to keep the productivity train moving. Soon there will not be any excuses for disconnecting and taking a break from the constant barrage of communication opportunities.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the mobile world we live in as much as the next guy. I love the idea of being able to access information and loved ones at the push of a button. But, I also am not blind to the pace we all seem to be traveling at these days and the toll that stimulation dependency has on us.
So here are two suggestions to throw into the airline think tank as they move forward with rolling out this concept throughout the industry.
1. How about Wi-Fi access only on flights longer than three hours? And for those 3+ hour trips, let’s at least leave an hour at each end of the flight for passenger respite.
2. If increasing airline revenue is the real issue, I recommend establishing the “boss blocker” service. For those travelers too paranoid that they are unable to unplug due to the demands of a 24/7 boss, pay a $5 fee and the airline will generate an automated email to your boss that reads, “(NAME) is attempting to communicate with you from the friendly skies, but unfortunately, we are experiencing technical difficulties.”
Enjoy your nap.
Jason Barger is author of Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport.
Jason Barger spent seven straight days flying 6,458 miles to seven different cities – without leaving the airports the entire time. He studied 10,000 minutes of observations at all four corners of the U.S. and reflected on how our airport experiences can teach us about our lives TODAY. The funny and inspiring stories remind us how to change our daily world in our personal lives, businesses, schools, and faith communities! Join the movement. All four editions of Step Back from the Baggage Claim are motivational books perfect for anyone looking to impact change in their life and work.
