Andy Jordan on a Plane–Instant Messaging! (Much, Much Worse Than Snakes!)
Ok, here is my personal nightmare: Having a stranger sitting next to me on an airplane chattering endlessly throughout a flight, when all I want to do is read, watch a movie or sleep.
Now, horror of horrors, there is a service on Virgin America where passengers can do seat-to-seat chatting. WSJ.com’s Tech Diary video blogger Andy Jordan tries it out and finds most people really don’t want to be bothered, although that does not seem to stop some from bothering anyway.
Also a problem: the touchscreens irk the people in front of the chatter, what with all the poking (which is icky enough on Facebook).
See for yourself:
Comments
Judging by the video, it looks like the younger crowd responds- and let’s face it- they’re the ones most likely responding to the sassy branding image. I’d say that it’d be less annoying if the keyboards pulled out, and didn’t disturb the passenger in front. Plus-it’s corny, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to place an entry message on the screen advising passengers to not physically get up and bug the other passengers if they decline. Other wise, I wish I were flying to one of the top 6 sexy cities so that I too could fly virgin and message the hell out of that plane- I think it’s great, and people need to start realizing the utility of the program for when they get off the plane- find numbers, where you need to go, and any news on events that you are attending- who knows, you may be one of the few who finds things out ahead of time.
Posted by Laura Novack at June 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 am