SUBWAY/TRAIN Commuters: Help please!?

Question

Would you find it helpful to have wireless internet access during your commute? Most often wifi is not available and for the commute home most people want to finish some extra work on the train to save time. Do you feel the same way and would internet access help you? Access would be via a wireless network adaptable to any laptop.

Answer 1

I've done it, with the old Ricochet system, even fixed priority 1 network problems with it right on the train :)  It might be possible now with Verizon, but I don't know how well it works at track speed.  Cell phones work (darn it), so I suppose the Net would too.

I wouldn't do it on any train though... safety.  If your work is important enough to do on the train, it's important enough not to get your laptop jacked.

Answer 2

One of our associates's brothers is a transportation expert and commutes on the subway when he is in New York and takes trains on many business trips. He said he has

used wi-fi several times on trains, but  the coverage was spotty and it was slow.

Data transfer on a cell phone is not as critical, if it is interrupted momentarily it is often not noticeable, but computer data must be a better, faster connection.

He believes that for wi-fi to work properly each car would probably need to have an antenna, because each car is a metal shell and the train is moving.  People would need to contact the train or transit authority to push for wi-fi  coverage.

One concern: on some trains  is that it may not be wise to drag out your expensive laptop for all to see and then get off at a dark station. Hope this helps. For more information about customer satisfaction with wireless communication, transportation, travel and automotive related topics, please visit JDPower.com.

Answer 3

I personally get dizzy if I look at a book or screen in a moving vehicle, so it wouldn't help me.  But it's a good idea.

But do you really need internet to do your work?  Can't you type and then send later?