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The gear, installation, and maintenance are all paid for in some manner, and that has to be passed on.
How was that done by JetBlue? Buried in the ticket price so you didn't see it? Bag Check fee? Price of a soda?
Generally I agree with you. But, have you considered that JetBlue pays for the "free" Wifi by running a more efficient operation? Maybe the management of JetBlue is not nearly as greedy as that of say Southwest, which really gives nothing for free.
I used to fly Southwest in and out of RDU all the time. It was pretty reliable, it was reasonably cheap and not too uncomfortable. But, starting about a year ago, I just had to change. First, I flew American, but they canceled my route, and luckily JetBlue picked it up. Wow, JetBlue is so much better than Southwest, much more comfortable, nicer employees, and lately, cheaper! So, my guess is that JetBlue is just so much better run, managed and organized that the free Wifi is simply a benefit of their organizational and management skills. (And, no cattle call like SW!)
have you considered that JetBlue pays for the "free" Wifi by running a more efficient operation? ... So, my guess is that JetBlue is just so much better run, managed and organized that the free Wifi is simply a benefit of their organizational and management skills.
Efficient or not, providing wi-fi is a cost that has to be absorbed and paid for - whether out of other corporate profits (lowering their profit margin) or charging customers. It's still not "free."
Generally I agree with you. But, have you considered that JetBlue pays for the "free" Wifi by running a more efficient operation? Maybe the management of JetBlue is not nearly as greedy as that of say Southwest, which really gives nothing for free.
I used to fly Southwest in and out of RDU all the time. It was pretty reliable, it was reasonably cheap and not too uncomfortable. But, starting about a year ago, I just had to change. First, I flew American, but they canceled my route, and luckily JetBlue picked it up. Wow, JetBlue is so much better than Southwest, much more comfortable, nicer employees, and lately, cheaper! So, my guess is that JetBlue is just so much better run, managed and organized that the free Wifi is simply a benefit of their organizational and management skills. (And, no cattle call like SW!)
Big SW fan here. The cattle call isn't bad if you fly enough, like I do, to be on the Southwest A-List -- plus you get to go to the head of the line through security. And my boarding pass is pulled automatically, almost always an A.
I like JetBlue but fly Southwest by choice. With all the travel I've done this year (about 18 round-trips) plus using the Southwest credit card I've gotten 6 free R/T's this year, which is quite nice.
I like that SW doesn't gouge you on last minute travel the way the other airlines do. Had a parent get hospitalized Tue. night last week, right before Thanksgiving, and I got out to Nashville for $200 one-way. Other airlines? $700-800 for the same one-way flight.
Of course you are right. Nothing is ever, ever "free." Someone is paying for it somewhere.
But JetBlue is very consumer-oriented, and if I don't notice a big difference in everything else they offer, then I'll gladly take the "free" WiFi they offer.
If they can bury it somewhere, and I don't notice, then I'm fine with that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeJaquish
Basic economics says "No one offers 'free' wifi."
The gear, installation, and maintenance are all paid for in some manner, and that has to be passed on.
How was that done by JetBlue? Buried in the ticket price so you didn't see it? Bag Check fee? Price of a soda?
RDU should have open WiFi. A lot of other airports offer it. It's obviously do-able or no one would (be able to) offer it. It's something that high-tech passengers want and it personally irks me that RDU charges for it. I don't use a smart phone or have a 3G type connection, but I do travel with my netbook.
When I purchase a plane ticket, the price is what it is when I book. It might be a great fare or perhaps not as great, depending on when I book. The price is consistent across similar routes, at similar airports, regardless if the airport offers open WiFi or not. Open WiFi is a product differentiator. The costs are much less than they were, say, 5 yrs ago. Obviously there are benefits to offering this service or other airports would not do so.
As a consumer and flyer, I greatly appreciate airports that do have open WiFi.
Its BS, The country should have faster broadband access and it should be free EVERYPLACE! But alas we are second rate as a country to the rest of the world. Oh yea most Americans are clueless to how far we are behind other countries since most do not travel any farther than the nascar oval...
Got to say - I agree with this. Being a Brit, the speed, quality and cost of internet access here generally is nowhere near as good as the UK & Europe. TV & Cell services are a lot poorer too
Some of this is undoubtedly down to the sheer size of the US and the infrastructure required, however at the end of the day the quality of service is certainly behind a lot of the world...
All that being said - would love free Wi-Fi in RDU. But you know what - I still fly from there, and for the 90 minutes or so I'm there I can survive without it - and if its really urgent and I NEED it - then I just pony up!
nice to have - Yes. Essential or embarrassing that RDU doesn't have it already - really not that big a deal
All that being said - would love free Wi-Fi in RDU. But you know what - I still fly from there, and for the 90 minutes or so I'm there I can survive without it - and if its really urgent and I NEED it - then I just pony up!
I think that is the bottom line. People aren't going to fly through Greensboro or Charlotte instead just for free WiFi (if they even have it), so there is little incentive for the airport itself to offer it.
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