WiFi for bunkies?
 

I assume the answer is 'fat chance, idiot' but does UAL provide free WiFi (not the entertainment WiFi - actual 'surf the web WiFi') for a working crew member on break/bunkie? Googling here came up empty.

It is an approved expense. Just submit via usorce.

I take pride in submitting my expense for the wifi by using the wifi!! They have gotten so fast at approving the expense reports that I frequently have the expense approval email by the time I get to the hotel.

the wifi actually works now on international flights? I only hear of complaints by the FAs that it does not work and the passengers are complaining...

High speed video of United Wifi installation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsuvlmDWYuA


Why is airplane WiFi so expensive?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2hkQ03iCiY

My question is wifi actually works now on domestic flights? Over 50% of my 757 flights, the Wifi is inop. Totally outrageous and especially on Sundays, the pax are very vocal with their displeasure of not getting NFL scores. UAL - "IT company with Wings" has to be the biggest joke ever.

There are two or three wifi systems in our jets. Still trying to get a definitive answer.

The Panasonic system is the most prevalent. In 2014, it seemed to work pretty reliably in the 757RR and 764 fleets.

As it was added to the 767-300, it worked some of the time, over the CONUS.

Now?

It rarely works. The signal is there, but you can't even get the free United site. I haven't tried paying for it, but others too have said it is reimbursable.

The 757-PS jets have Gogo. I have never seen it NOT work. It is fantastic. Unfortunately, it is only 14 planes, I think.

As a passenger, the on-board wifi on the Airbus is great.

As a pax on the 737, with direct TV? Every little turn (even 5 degrees of bank, or turbulence), the antenna loses the satellite. So irritating, it's not enjoyable to watch anything.

It appears to me the Panasonic system is part satellite/part ground-based radio link (like a cell phone). If it works, it works best over the CONUS.

Gogo seems to be ground-based only.

I believe United and one or two other major carriers are suing Panasonic over the poor performance of this system.

I wish we would go Gogo for all.

777's. 100% of the fleet WiFi is installed. 2 different systems. Neither works reliably. It works about 1 out of 5 legs. Overwater, domestic, doesn't make a difference.

You can use it and expense it. Approved on your rest breaks. :D Good luck with it. The IT company with wings...

Last five or six trips on the 767-300 to Europe I have bought it and it worked fine. According to a mechanic, there is a big push on to improve the reliability of it.

To prove it, do you need to attach a screenshot of the pairing/ID?

I take a screen shot of the receipt and a screen shot of my pairing (paste them into one doc) and attach that. I have never had an issue getting it paid

Heard the same. Apparently there is a common compnent failure, requiring replacement. Panasonic is supposed to supply that part....but it has happened so much, they are out of stock.

As such, user airlines are in a legal battle with Panasonic for restitution, or, trying to exit the contract.

At least, that's what I have compiled through several conversations with maintenance (not seen in writing).

That's what I have understood also, I think they are making progress. Supposedly the push came directly from Oscar M after Smisek got canned because the reliability sucked so bad.

They have to first find out why it doesn't work. I don't know if they have figured it out yet.

Every single time I write it up, I write it up as chronic. That means they can't just ops check it ok and sign it off. The real problem is UAL mechanics have no real way to test it. The router is broadcasting a signal, the light is green, means nothing. No connection to the internet is the usual problem, which is an antenna/satellite connectivity problem. I'm pretty sure the system does not work on the ground, so how can you sign it off as ops checked ok? :eek:

There may be a push to get it reliable, but I sure haven't seen it. It's to the point the F/A's won't make the announcement that internet is available, because chances are, it won't be.

BTW, I flew the PS 757's for a long time, with GoGo, and it's true, it always worked--but it's terrestrial, won't work overwater.

............