WIlliam K: understood--no liability from here! Thanks for the info. One of the best things about this job is hearing from smart and creative people that can solve the everyday problems people run into.
The part about the chargers blocking both outlets brought out something that I had not noticed before, at least not at airports. It would appear that those creating such designs are quite likely very self centered and also that they never are around other people. Or perhaps somebody else always charges their toys for them.
The cheap and easy workaround is a foot-long two conductor non-polarized "extension cord." That allows you to keep the charger away from the outlet and avoid interferring with other peoples equipment. For some applications, particularly in the areas where ones extension cord may vanish, I have gone one step further and just attached the cord directly to the wall wart's two prongs by passing the bared conductors through the holes and wrapping the strands around the prongs. The elegant insulation approach then uses heatshrink sleeving for insulation and support, while the quick and dirty approach uses a wrapping of ordinary masking tape. ALL READERS MUST UNDERSAND THAT THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE "SAFETY PLICE "RULES. Of course, it is important to avoid allowing bare wires to be exposed, however, that same condition does keep "busy fingers" away. But it is a very effective workaround and it is very lightweight and inexpensive.
I carry a simple 1 to 3 adapter. If all of the plugs by the seats are taken, I ask and always am permitted, to plug in the adapter to the wall outlet and then plug the other traveler's and my devices into the adapter.
If you travel that much, my advice is to invest in an airline club, which usually offers an abundance of power receptacles. While membership is expensive, you can often use your miles to obtain a membership.
It always seems like whenever you need a charge at the airport, you can't find an open receptacle or the open ones are on the other side of the terminal. I find it acceptable to ask a person to swap their plug around to open up a free one. As for reading books, have you thought of just getting the cheap Kindle or Nook? Without Wi-Fi on, you can read for your entire trips without charging, in fact you should be able to make multiple trips without recharging. Not a bad option if you're just looking for something to read.
Susan, Jet airways is providing such options in their internal flights in business class cabin services (individual cabin for each passenger). Not aware about any other airlines or services.
Susan, it's true in India also. In train they had provided charging point near to each cabin/berth and we can use it for charging the electronic gadgets. The same is true for luxurious/Volvo buses and now a day's most of the cars are coming up with factory fitted laptop/mobile charging point. So far in flight, they had not provided any plug points and for entertainment they used to play 2-3 movies in different channels. Passengers have to satisfy with that. Wifi/3G is also available in major zones and peoples can access while on the go.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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