Plugging In Devices To Recharge At The Airport

Skydrol · Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:30 pm

Many people are so obsessed with their devices, and reach the point of panic if the battery is dying.

In the desperate quest for a place to recharge in the airport departure lounge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8b7acamOdg

.

Okie · Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:45 pm

I have associates that have had to remove outside outlets and install blank plates at their businesses.

They seem to attract the homeless who want to charge their devices after hours. Before long the homeless were helping themselves to anything and everything loose around the outside of the buildings.

Okie

TheCommodore · Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:05 am

Never ceases to amaze me. I once saw a gut unplug a table light next to where he was sitting in the Business class lounge to charge his phone, only problem was, he was rebuked by staff and told to charge it at the special Mobile points.

Just to lazy I guess.

zrs70 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:13 am

In the 1990's, I would unplug phones in the airline clubs to plug in my laptop modem.

At hotels. I unplug clocks and lamps because too often, hotels don't put outlets in convenient places.

Our mobile devices are important tools for today. It should be easier, not harder, to change up.

moo · Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:49 am

Quoting zrs70 (Reply 3):
Our mobile devices are important tools for today. It should be easier, not harder, to change up.

Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

OA260 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:52 am

Everyone should just buy one of these. I have and it solves the problem. No need to sit around waiting for it to charge either.

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/gg-gr...8290c4-0acb-11e6-8cb4-005056941669

Tugger · Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:02 pm

Quoting TheCommodore (Reply 2):
Never ceases to amaze me. I once saw a gut unplug a table light next to where he was sitting in the Business class lounge to charge his phone, only problem was, he was rebuked by staff and told to charge it at the special Mobile points.

I am surprised that the lounge lamps didn't simply have a plug built in to the base as many hotel room lamps do nowadays. Very easy way to really please customers and make things easier for them. And isn't that what lounges are for?

Quoting moo (Reply 4):
Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

It's not. I solve it myself. I will bring an extension cord with me for a longer distance trip. I have made some people very happy by offering up the "extra" spots on the cord for them. Makes sure a plug is always available for me if needed. Sitting in an airport for a three hour (or longer) layover and working on email and projects is far more desirable to just sitting wasting time. The cord is sometimes also useful in hotels. (I used to bring a 20 foot LAN cable to use in hotels when wireless wasn't the norm).

Tugg

[Edited 2016-04-25 07:10:12]

Moose135 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:58 pm

Quoting zrs70 (Reply 3):
At hotels. I unplug clocks and lamps because too often, hotels don't put outlets in convenient places.

I usually throw a multi-outlet surge protector in my computer bag so I can plug in the laptop, iPhone, and iPad all at the same time.

einsteinboricua · Mon Apr 25, 2016 3:09 pm

Quoting moo (Reply 4):
Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

When an airline recommends that you download their app to access your boarding pass and other things that you can take care of yourself instead of going through employees, they're endorsing the idea to use your phone. Naturally, in a bid to maintain happy customers, plugs all over the place are a small price to pay. I don't expect airlines and airports to have plugs available for everyone, but I will make it my mission to connect through airports and fly with airlines that offer more conveniences for passengers. So while it is not a problem I expect to have solved by them (especially when I make sure to ration battery life), it is a feature I expect in an otherwise modern and interconnected world.

Quoting zrs70 (Reply 3):
Our mobile devices are important tools for today. It should be easier, not harder, to change up.

Pretty much everyone has a smartphone these days and that means airports and airlines that offer charging stations will get better odds of passengers connecting through. Makes life easier for all.

LH526 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 3:39 pm

SCL offers local-phone-provider branded steles at each gate with dozens of outlets, sockets and even USB ports for charging your phone, along with a screen running ads and plenty of space to rest your phone including cable while it's loading.

FRA splans to offer sockets under each seat around airside areas with the introduction of new seating furnitures.

Great service!

Mario
LH526

nws2002 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:28 pm

The TUL airport is one of the best for this. They did a big remodel a few years ago and added outlets (both 110v and USB) under all the gate seating.

flipdewaf · Mon Apr 25, 2016 5:19 pm

Flew from YYZ a few weeks ago and no need to charge device as there are literally hundreds of iPads at the tables for pax to use.

Fred

Kiwirob · Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:43 pm

Quoting TheCommodore (Reply 2):
Never ceases to amaze me. I once saw a gut unplug a table light next to where he was sitting in the Business class lounge to charge his phone, only problem was, he was rebuked by staff and told to charge it at the special Mobile points.

In the SAS gold lounge in OSLO every seat has a USB and a power outlet. It's bloody great.

zckls04 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:50 pm

Quoting moo (Reply 4):
Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

By that argument, why make anything at an airport in any way more convenient?

The airports are in the business of providing service to the travelling public, and smartphones and the like are part of our daily lives now. The airports don't *owe* us anything, but as airports are revamped it makes sense to include charging facilities.

ACDC8 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:58 pm

Quoting Skydrol (Thread starter):

Many people are so obsessed with their devices, and reach the point of panic if the battery is dying.

Its not necessarily that we are obsessed with the devices (ok, maybe we are lol), but when you think about it. Our boarding passes are on them, we use them to take pictures of our trip, many airlines are requiring that we use them if we want to use their IFE and we use them to keep in touch with our friends and family - and some use them to do some work. That will easily drain a battery on a long trip.

Quoting moo (Reply 4):
Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

Most suitcases have wheels on them nowadays, why should some else help me solve a problem and provide me with luggage carts?

Moose135 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:44 pm

Quoting zckls04 (Reply 13):
By that argument, why make anything at an airport in any way more convenient?

Why have rest rooms? Shouldn't you have taken care of all that before you left home?

jetwet1 · Mon Apr 25, 2016 11:52 pm

Quoting OA260 (Reply 5):
Everyone should just buy one of these. I have and it solves the problem. No need to sit around waiting for it to charge either.

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/gg-gr...41669

Not bad, I have one of these :

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-20000mAh...le-Charger-PowerCore/dp/B00X5RV14Y

The thing is an absolute beast, it goes with me on every trip now.

chrisair · Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:31 am

Quoting zrs70 (Reply 3):
At hotels. I unplug clocks and lamps because too often, hotels don't put outlets in convenient places.

Convenient? Try accessible! I can't tell you the number of hotels that have one outlet behind the bed and desk one lamp with an outlet that doesn't work.

Quoting jetwet1 (Reply 16):

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-20000mAh...le-Charger-PowerCore/dp/B00X5RV14Y

The thing is an absolute beast, it goes with me on every trip now.

I have two of them. Best things ever. Also have a couple portable surge protectors with usb ports. The problem (especially in Las Vegas strip hotels) is there's a lack of accessible outlets, which means completely tearing apart the room trying to find a place to plug my phone in at night.

VapourTrails · Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:39 am

Quoting OA260 (Reply 5):
Everyone should just buy one of these. I have and it solves the problem. No need to sit around waiting for it to charge either.

I am in the process of getting one of these, they are the best - or at least make life a lot easier.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 8):
When an airline recommends that you download their app to access your boarding pass and other things that you can take care of yourself instead of going through employees, they're endorsing the idea to use your phone. Naturally, in a bid to maintain happy customers, plugs all over the place are a small price to pay. I don't expect airlines and airports to have plugs available for everyone, but I will make it my mission to connect through airports and fly with airlines that offer more conveniences for passengers. So while it is not a problem I expect to have solved by them (especially when I make sure to ration battery life), it is a feature I expect in an otherwise modern and interconnected world.

Quoting zckls04 (Reply 13):
The airports are in the business of providing service to the travelling public, and smartphones and the like are part of our daily lives now. The airports don't *owe* us anything, but as airports are revamped it makes sense to include charging facilities.

I can often be found at MEL at Gate 1 in T1 as there is a charging and laptop bench, which is really useful! I've never yet found it to be too busy, but they could do with a few more of these at every second or third gate in each terminal, and more nearer the floor power points at chairs, as per the video. Love that video by the way, what a classic! It would have fooled me for sure! Like a bee to a honeypot.

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 14):
Our boarding passes are on them, we use them to take pictures of our trip, many airlines are requiring that we use them if we want to use their IFE and we use them to keep in touch with our friends and family - and some use them to do some work. That will easily drain a battery on a long trip.

I now know how to save my boarding pass so at least I can turn off the WiFi on the iPhone and save battery for when I get to the boarding stage.

OA260 · Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:16 am

Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 12):

In the SAS gold lounge in OSLO every seat has a USB and a power outlet. It's bloody great.

Love that lounge have been transiting OSL a bit lately and its one of my new fav lounges.

Quoting VapourTrails (Reply 18):
I am in the process of getting one of these, they are the best - or at least make life a lot easier.

For sure if you are on a bus/train etc its just so handy and quite small so easy to just plug in and charge and put in your bag while you are on the move.

Stealthz · Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:39 pm

Maybe they should have more of these available...

Charging and WiFi but you have to work for it!!

At Gare Montparnasse. Paris

Revelation · Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:19 pm

Quoting stealthz (Reply 20):
Charging and WiFi but you have to work for it!!

Great idea!

It'd be interesting to see how much all this charging juice is costing the airports and the airlines.

It's pretty amazing that they're not more aggressive about recovering the cost, but give it time, sigh.

lewis · Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:38 pm

Quoting moo (Reply 4):
Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

Why is anything a problem that someone else has to help you solve? I sure hope you are not in a customer service or customer facing position if that is the attitude you have for people who, gasp, just want to charge their phone...

jetwet1 · Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:39 pm

Quoting Revelation (Reply 21):
It'd be interesting to see how much all this charging juice is costing the airports and the airlines.

It's pretty amazing that they're not more aggressive about recovering the cost, but give it time, sigh.

I can't give you the figures for that, but right now we are putting in 3 EV charging stations at each of our hotels/casinos, we did the math and figured that even if they were going 24/7/265, it would increase our bill by 0.01%, not even worth mentioning. I can't see usb ports being much more than that for an airport.

A332DTW · Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:09 am

Funny prank aside, it seems to me like those situations are easily preventable. Just as you should pee before a long trip, you should charge up before a long trip. Batteries have come a long way and a full charge should last you several hours.

jetmatt777 · Wed Apr 27, 2016 5:41 am

Quoting nws2002 (Reply 10):
The TUL airport is one of the best for this. They did a big remodel a few years ago and added outlets (both 110v and USB) under all the gate seating.

I avoid these whenever possible. The charging times to me seem to take twice as long or more. I think it has to do with splitting the electricity from a single plug, to 5 different plugs. Is it just me?

I've used these gate seating chargers in SEA and OKC and have noticed it taking much longer to charge a phone on them vs. a direct outlet.

Better than nothing, but I like to charge straight from the wall as it seems faster.

seat64k · Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:32 pm

Quoting moo (Reply 4):
Why is charging *your* device a problem that someone else has to help you solve?

Several people have addressed this, but I'll add some more:
- Airlines favouring hub/spoke models where, what was once a direct fight is now one, two, or even three flights with lots of idle time in departure/transit lounges.
- Airlines charging $35 for printing a boarding pass, forcing you to print it at home (great if you're somewhere you can print once on-line check in opens, but you don't have many options when you spent the last 34 hours on flights and in transit lounges.

Quoting LH526 (Reply 9):
FRA splans to offer sockets under each seat around airside areas with the introduction of new seating furnitures.

All airports should do this.

Quoting flipdewaf (Reply 11):
Flew from YYZ a few weeks ago and no need to charge device as there are literally hundreds of iPads at the tables for pax to use.

This is nice but it's a bit of a gimmick. My iPad is useful to me because of the selection of software and personal documents I put on it.

Quoting zckls04 (Reply 13):
The airports are in the business of providing service to the travelling public

I would say that Airports are in the business of providing a service to both passengers and airlines, but I think they lose sight some times of how much money they take from passengers in airport tax (looking at you, Heathrow). That said, how well an airport operates and how well it provides for and treats its passengers absolutely factors into my ticket purchasing decisions. That's why I avoid Gatwick and Luton as far as I can.

n92r03 · Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:37 pm

Quoting Tugger (Reply 6):
I will bring an extension cord with me for a longer distance trip. I have made some people very happy by offering up the "extra" spots on the cord for them. Makes sure a plug is always available for me if needed.

Amen.

Quoting Tugger (Reply 6):
The cord is sometimes also useful in hotels. (I used to bring a 20 foot LAN cable to use in hotels when wireless wasn't the norm).

Amen again.

I bring both the extension cord and the LAN cable each/every day. Works well in meetings where it just so happens that the LAN cables are not long enough and there never are enough outlets.

ACDC8 · Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:19 am

Quoting stealthz (Reply 20):
Maybe they should have more of these available...

They have those in YYC as well.

Calder · Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:52 pm

Just a heads up for everyone, because the USB cables we all charge with carry data as well as power, it is possible for a seemingly innocuous charging kiosk to pull data from your phone.

The first "dummy" kiosk was set up at DefCon 19

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2011/08/beware-of-juice-jacking/

Now of course there are ways around this (get a power only USB cable, for example), but most people don't take the necessary precautions.

Happy charging!

jetmatt777 · Fri Apr 29, 2016 1:51 pm

I don't believe the iPhone will transfer any data to or from the phone from an unknown device unless you enter your password.

I ran into this problem when my phone screen broke and I was unable to transfer any data onto my computer before recycling my phone. The phone wouldn't allow any access without a password, and I was unable to enter a password because the screen was broken.

seat64k · Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:24 pm

Google "usb condom" (no joke). It's a simple USB adapter that you put in-between the USB port and your USB cable. Useful if you don't have cables that are explicitly data-only.

caoimhin · Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:21 pm

Quoting jetwet1 (Reply 16):

Anker is a great company. I would strongly recommend their batteries. They're not terribly expensive, and they're not terribly cheap either. I have a 10000 mAh and a 15000 mAh from that company. They're both a few years old now and are still going strong. If I pack the 15000, I might be able to get through a 5 day trip without ever needing to plug my phone into a wall outlet.

Quoting seat64k (Reply 31):

Yes. This is a fantastic idea. Lots of people (myself included) will plug their device into any open USB port without a second thought.

Quoting jetmatt777 (Reply 25):
I think it has to do with splitting the electricity from a single plug, to 5 different plugs. Is it just me?

Some ports will have 1 amp over 5 volts, while you may be used to charging at 2.1 amps. That will make a significant difference in speed.

cgnnrw · Sun May 08, 2016 1:50 pm

Remember the days before mobile devices, there were these objects called public phones. They weren't free. Yet today many people consider it a "civil liberty/a basic human right" to be able to charge their devices for free.

Several posters said "airports are a business, etc" Other than public restrooms and the occassional luggage cart, I've yet to go through an airport where "services" are for free.

Just my 2cents....

DocLightning · Sun May 08, 2016 3:49 pm

Quoting zckls04 (Reply 13):
The airports don't *owe* us anything, but as airports are revamped it makes sense to include charging facilities.

The hell they don't. We, as passengers, pay the airports through the airlines and our fees, so yes the airlines sure as hell DO owe their passengers something. And if your airport is poorly-designed and not convenient for me, I'll arrange to travel through a different one.

Quoting Revelation (Reply 21):

It'd be interesting to see how much all this charging juice is costing the airports and the airlines.

Negligible. Maybe a few percent of total electricity budget.

VapourTrails · Mon May 09, 2016 2:43 am

Quoting Calder (Reply 29):
Just a heads up for everyone, because the USB cables we all charge with carry data as well as power, it is possible for a seemingly innocuous charging kiosk to pull data from your phone.

Thanks for this, hadn't occured to me.

Quoting caoimhin (Reply 32):
Yes. This is a fantastic idea. Lots of people (myself included) will plug their device into any open USB port without a second thought.

I second that.

Quoting cgnnrw (Reply 33):
Remember the days before mobile devices, there were these objects called public phones. They weren't free. Yet today many people consider it a "civil liberty/a basic human right" to be able to charge their devices for free.

It has occured to me that, hey, I am using their electricity for free, but I do now see it, in the 201# as basic right, yeah.

No-one has ever said or displayed a sign that says that electric points are not to be used for this purpose, even though originally they were probably installed for cleaner's equipment to vacuum the floors etc.

When I started to see charging stations at airports, then in my mind it was all OK to use the airport's (or airline's) electricity.

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 34):
The hell they don't. We, as passengers, pay the airports through the airlines and our fees, so yes the airlines sure as hell DO owe their passengers something. And if your airport is poorly-designed and not convenient for me, I'll arrange to travel through a different one.

Yes, this.

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 34):
Negligible. Maybe a few percent of total electricity budget.

And they can always charge users indirectly through fees and fares, as mentioned above, to recover costs.

VapourTrails · Mon May 09, 2016 3:02 am

Quoting jetwet1 (Reply 16):
The thing is an absolute beast, it goes with me on every trip now.

So I ended up getting a power bank, but now I am 'too afraid' to travel on aircraft with it in case it becomes a safety risk.

There is a thread in Civ Av about one catching fire, and it was in the cabin, not hold.

If airlines don't want too many of these on flights, then the powering devices using the means provided at airports or by airlines should be paramount?

If these little power banks are becoming more popular, is that a worry for flight?

Is 50000mAh too large?

Skydrol · Mon May 09, 2016 5:08 am

Quoting VapourTrails (Reply 36):
Is 50000mAh too large?

50 Ah is a small car battery... maybe a little too large.

ACDC8 · Mon May 09, 2016 6:13 am

Quoting cgnnrw (Reply 33):
Remember the days before mobile devices, there were these objects called public phones.

VapourTrails · Mon May 09, 2016 6:14 am

Quoting Skydrol (Reply 37):
50 Ah is a small car battery... maybe a little too large.

It is similar to this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/EPCTEK-50000...ensation-Thunderbolt/dp/B00GN5FTJS

It is about the size of a mobile / cell phone circa 2000. I don't have the exact dimensions at mo.

VapourTrails · Mon May 09, 2016 6:17 am

Embedded video above!

That is funnier than the video from the OP!

Every kind of technology has its problems!!

jetwet1 · Mon May 09, 2016 7:38 am

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 34):
Negligible. Maybe a few percent of total electricity budget.

I highly doubt it is even 1%. Airports are pretty power hungry places.

Quoting VapourTrails (Reply 36):

Quoting VapourTrails (Reply 39):

I wouldn't touch that one, honestly, 11 quid for and battery storage is just asking for trouble, I also highly doubt the capacity quoted.

rta · Mon May 09, 2016 7:43 am

I just carry an external battery/power bank with me so I don't have to worry about having a dead phone, being confined to a particular area, or being pranked.

One of the best $20 you can spend.

VapourTrails · Tue May 10, 2016 2:40 am

Quoting jetwet1 (Reply 41):
I wouldn't touch that one, honestly, 11 quid for and battery storage is just asking for trouble, I also highly doubt the capacity quoted.

The one I got is working fine so far. I think it is pretty generic, but I didn't spend a lot so it is a kind of trial one here. I was also limited to one that was compatible with my devices I have currently. I like the fact that it charges up these so much quicker than the mains, that is a bonus in having one.

It is 6 X 3 x 3/4 inches, not small but worth the convenience for the price.

As the previous poster said, not having to sit in a particular area when travelling, at the mercy of the devices' battery is a good thing.

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