This past Thursday I flew from Phoenix to NYC and all I can say is WOW! First off, I was luckily enough to get an exit row seat as well as have the middle sit remain unoccupied for the trip. Getting onto the plane I was surprised it was a 757, most of the flights I have been on are 737.
Once I stepped on, I noticed all the coach seats had a nice (i think 7in) LCD. No multi-touch displays, but still pretty slick. This new multimedia system is amazing, why did it take this long for airlines to get this, right? I did a click run through and had over 11 movies to choose from and could click, play, fast-forward, rewind, pause, it was like “on demand” back in NJ (cause COX in AZ DOESN’T HAVE IT!). So while sitting there waiting for take off, I noticed a little sign “Power Outlet This Row”. Yea, so after hitting “cruising altitude” I pulled out my laptop and plugged in. It was like First Class, but paid nothing for the ticket, how unique. Although their PA Alert system is pretty annoying. So if the Captain wants to chat with the “Uniformed Crew member” they pause what your doing and post a PA System message on the LCD. Most of the time, they don’t need to “disturb” us (customers). I like the system, but maybe they should look into newer technology. Yes we have the Technology, each flight attendant could get a bluetooth headset and allow for easy messaging between the captain and the “Uniformed Crew members”. If the captain needs to get on the PA, thats fine, but most of the time, you just see them pickup the “phone” (cause they still make it look like we are in the 60’s) and have their “private” conversations.
Anyway, All the games/play/movies on this trip will keep you entertained for the entire “duration”. I know I was working on trying to get some work (blogs/coding) done but wanted to see/play/hack with this system. Their Virtual Bowling is not as fun as Wii bowling, but still entertaining. They have plenty of games, chess, checkers, backgammon, mini golf, etc. I definitely need to pay more attention to flying on 757 and try and get on more of these “new planes”. I was pretty impressed by the AI as in speed, def not in “smart” for chess as well as the speed. (was playing on hard) Although the touch screen was a bit off, so each time I played I would move, but sometimes miss hit the space next to where I wanted to move and could not easily find the “undo”. The fact that it has “multi” as in play other people on the plane, SICK!
Does anyone know if the Berlitz World Travel game is web based? Would think this would be great to teach/learn a language. I know Tim Ferrris discusses how to relearn a language in 20 minutes. I know for myself I got “my mind back into Japanese” by listening to podcasts in Japanese and “lesson teachings” while walking to class in college. It was a great way to listen, say it, and think it (Highly recommend it).
Oh, so before all this fun with the 757, I has yea anotherTSA experiences due to the fact that I had to remove my “coat” I said, “excuse me?”, he said my “coat”, (I was wearing a zip up hoodie). So I guess it contains a lot of “metal”, whatever. I found it funny because the guy in front of me had on a blazer as well as polo and sweater. ha!
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Its nice to hear that a US based airline has begun to catch up with some overseas carriers in the realm on in-flight entertainment. You mentioned that the particular flight offered approximately 14 movies which is impressive for a short flight especially with an “on-demand” style setup. I’ve recently been flying with Virgin Atlantic and once again I was very impressed with the vast selection of movie titles I was offered in an “on-demand” style of playback. Although I also noticed a similar problem, whenever the captain or a member of the crew made an announcement the default volume for the announcement was 8 (!) levels above the volume I was using for their movie and music content. Many times during my flights with Virgin Atlantic I had to throw my head phones off in a fit of rage just to spare my eardrums from the BLAST of another “seat-belt sign” announcement. I understand the importance of the crew speaking with the passengers during a flight but why must the volume level of their announcement come in at such an intolerable level?