Electronic Age

When looking at this past decade it has taken some significant steps in the use of technology. We are now in a time when the average consumer has a great amount of accessibility to technology, almost everyone has some sort of technology as a integral part of their life. There has been great advancements for the development of technology that can be extremely helpful and useful. These devices can be used for personal, professional, production, and development uses. It has changed the way we live, the way we interact, and the way we handle tasks.

            Technology has added a greater amount of entertainment, providing hours of activities that is no bigger than your hand and can be easily carried becoming convent. More recently Airlines has made it a standard to put internet access on most if not all of their aircraft fleet to help further the customers experience on the flight. Internet access on aircraft can be a great asset to the company allowing customers to have other options for entertainment or allow them to take care of personal or work related tasks while trying to reach their destination. It has added another element to traveling and providing customers with not only the fast form of transportation but a more efficient and enjoyable experience. From a business standpoint it can be a great benefit to the worker and allows them to be even more useful and effective during the flight. With the advancements in technology airlines are now able to connect crew tablets to the internet as the availability of aircraft with on-board Wi-Fi grows. This will close the customer service loop for airlines, as they will be able to connect with crew and passengers up in the air, providing a productive operation for the flight attendants and quicker service to the customers (Kollau, 2013). It also allows children to be entertained for the length of the flight which can lead to a more peaceful environment. I remember about 10 years ago going on planes walking through them you would see most people with magazines, books, or newspapers, today walking through a plane during flight most if not all people have out laptops, tablets, handheld gaming systems, or Smartphone's.

            Although these devices have made productivity higher, I find that most people are to fixated on these devices and feel they need to be constantly checking them. Many times you see parents just throw a electronic device in their children's hands to keep them occupied and quiet so they are not disturbed. Many times you see adults so fixated that they have little to no situational awareness, even to the point to where they are walking into others or other things. Many people don't realize just how often they check these devices and can be easily over looked due to the amount of options that these devices provide.

            There has been a large stigma about when the use of Personal Electronic Devices (PED's) can or should be used. The FAA has recently lessened the restriction on the use of PED's. There has been restrictions on the use of PED's due to the safety aspect of flying, for two reasons. First, would be the possibility with electronic devices interfering with parts or systems involving the avionics, including radio communication, navigational equipment, and aircraft control and monitor systems. Each electronic device produces radio waves or electronic waves, due to them being powered and operated by electricity. Different devices produce different amounts of radio waves, some more than others, the FAA has been trying to test what equipment would be acceptable to operate during flight, to minimize interference (Wisegeek, 2013). Although most modern aircraft have added protection against outside radio waves, older aircraft do not have the protection or redundancy that installed in newer airframes. Second reason for PED restrictions during takeoff and landing is safety within the cabin. In the event of an emergency near the ground, it is safer to have all items stored away. If there were many items loose throughout the cabin if something were to happen it could cause much harm to other passengers. Although there are few studies that support the restrictions, they are just added safety measures to help prevent a possible unsafe environment.                                  

            For the airlines electronic devices needing internet is great news and provides one more way to make money for providing this service. Internet can be used as a marketing tool to prospect customer as an added luxury that airline provides. For most airlines internet is a added fee that you must pay for to use. Prices can range depending of the route being flown and provide different time lengths that the customer can buy. Most package times selling for 30 minutes, 1 hour, or the length of the flight. Different options can be added depending on the length of the flight, such as access to movies or games provided by the airline with or without internet accessibility. Most airlines also provides day passes for internet if you will be making multiple stops or flights during that day. Some of the larger carriers also provide an internet option for people that travel often or use the airlines as a way to commute most days, a onetime fee that provides internet larger amount of time, for a number of months or a year. Prices range depending on companies and routes but most internet or entertainment options range from $2 to $60. If you do not fly often or only have a flight less than 2 hours it may not be worth getting and using the internet, however, for longer trip or international flights it may be worth the extra money for internet. Most aircraft do have T.V.'s placed throughout the aircraft, on larger aircraft or for international flights may times there are T.V's placed behind each headrest, with some models having touch screen abilities. Many flights do include a movie or a show to watch for the customers, however, these touch screen models are more options with games, flight trackers, music, a view from the camera near the top of the horizontal stabilizer, providing more interaction and entertainment for the passengers. In a article by Raymond Kollau he references a New York Times article that speaks of the many dimensions that technology has added to the airlines, stating:

“The great advances in technology presents for airlines themselves to essentially sell more things to the customers, whether the product is in-flight entertainment, food and drink, customized services to elite-status passengers or products at the destination, including hotel packages, sports and concert tickets, restaurant and theatre reservations. On an airplane, you have a captive market, and with sophisticated technology, you can sell to passengers in very personal ways.”

References

Kollau, Raymond (2013, August 15). Increasing onboard ancillary revenues through data and connectivity. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2013/08/increasing-onboard-ancillary-revenues-through-data-connectivity-and-a-retailing-mindset/

Kollau, Raymond (2013, June 6). The In-flight passenger experience technological revolution – Part one. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2013/06/the-in-flight-passenger-experience-technological-revolution-part-one/

Ribbers, Jasper (2013, August 9). Do electrical devices really interfere with aircraft navigational systems? Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.thetravelingdutchman.com/do-electrical-devices-really-interfere-with-aircraft-navigational-systems/

Wise Geek (2013). Why do all Electronics Have to be Turned Off for Takeoff and Landing? Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.wisegeek.org/why-do-all-electronics-have-to-be-turned-off-for-takeoff-and-landing.htm