WOW!

It's been several years since i was WOW'd by something online, but i just had the experience again.  And now i'm not sure why...

I'm flying (right this very minute, i'm flying on AA #1155 to SFO via DFW) as i write this entry and I think that's the WOW part -- American Airlines offering new Wi-Fi Onboard service for $9.95 from Gogoinflight.

I see two sides to this experience.  On one hand, it's not FREE...and i can quickly see why we won't reimburse for this as a rule.  A bunch of people on planes a lot tallying up $20 bills, in addition to Wi-Fi connections on the ground and in hotels could get crazy!  On the other hand, it is working really, really well.  To test its muscle, i just Skyped with my wife at her home office.  While i didn't talk (so not to disturb other passengers) the chat feature was flawless and the video connection was as good as it is on the ground.  I also was able to clear out my email inbox - this is obviously part of the "two sides" of things. 

In the past, flights have been a time to catch up on reading, tackle essential work that needs to be handled without interruption, prepare to see a client, day dream, etc.  Now, the temptation will be real to send a file, check email, update my FB status and all kinds of things i used to not want or be able to do while flying.  We'll see which temptation wins!

So this part of my sacred travel ritual seems to have been violated...in a mainly positive way, I think.  PLEASE airlines...whatever you do...never, ever let voice calls happen!