Fly Away Cafe - Where travel is a way of life

Laptop Travel

by Mary Jo Manzanares on March 29th, 2006

If you’re using your laptop during your flight, and who isn’t these days, there are a few basic steps you can take to ensure the privacy of your work, extend courtesy to those around you, and keep your laptop safe. 

Security:

• If you have wi-fi access, encrypt it.  You should not have it enabled on the airplane, but most of us have booted up and seen a number of networks available.  If you don’t encrypt, someone may be seeing more than you want them to.
• Keep wandering eyes from wandering to what’s on your screen.  There are privacy shields that can keep your screen from being viewed by others.  Or, as a friend suggested when I complained about the wandering eyes of a seatmate, do your typing with a small font that is impossible for them to read.  Of course, I’ll then have trouble reading it as well, but at least I can get my thoughts down and I can do any editing later.

Safety:

• When you’re working on your laptop, do not extend it out into the aisle.  Flight attendants are pushing large carts through the aisle, people are walking back and forth, and there’s always the possibility of turbulence.
• Close the top of your laptop when the Flight Attendant is serving your row, or the beverage cart is nearby.  Do not hold your glass out for a refill over your keyboard.  (People actually do this!)  Flight Attendants try very hard to avoid spills, but it happens.  Closing your laptop will help eliminate or minimize the change of damage.

Good Manners:

• Use earplugs.  Even better, use earplugs that actually work.  If your music, movie, or other audio can be heard by a Flight Attendant walking through the cabin, you will be asked to turn it down or mute it.  You may really love that song you are listening to, but not everyone around you will feel the same way.
• No adult content.  Whether it’s video or photos, adult content is not acceptable for the airplane.  If you can’t figure out that this material is best viewed in private, a Flight Attendant will remind you.  If you still can’t figure it out, you will be told to shut your screen off.

Share This

Related Stories

Laptop on a Tray Table
Airport Wireless Connection Guide
Using Your Laptop in a Sunny Location
Back to Basics: 10 Tips for Laptop Use on the Plane
Gifts for Travelers: Hurry Only 3 Days Left!

POSTED IN: Air Travel