I started writing this entry at the Tulsa International Airport on my way home from a business trip. When I powered up my laptop, I had my fingers crossed that I would be able to find free wi-fi to check my e-mail accounts before boarding my flight.
Alas, the only working wi-fi in range belonged to the airport and there was a fee attached. That’s when I became thankful for the free wi-fi available to passengers at PDX.
Over the past several months, I’ve traveled through many airports and there’s always a fee attached to logging on. I suppose I should be used to it by now but it’s still a shame that businessfolks and tourists alike aren’t able to connect for free considering we’re paying through the nose on food and beverages post-security check-in since the airlines cut those “perks” down to a 2oz bag of pretzels and a cup of soda.
While it may not seem like a big deal, those fees add up and considering I’m only in the airport for maybe two hours, usually less, paying $10 is a lot given the inability to transfer the remaining time/credit over to another airport or location. There’s also the assorted connection fees hotels charge for using their wi-fi.
Sure, I get reimbursed for these expenses, but I’m lucky as I’m sure most folks have to eat these costs as the price of doing business. Thus, the question becomes, can I wait to check my e-mail, or do I pull out my credit card?
