Driver Lifestyles

Is WiFi the future?

By Lee Kurtzmann, Associate Editor
Posted Sep 26th 2003 6:49AM

satellite.jpgRemember Park 'N View?  The system that debuted in the mid-'90's and billed itself as "the biggest thing in trucking communications since the CB" was full of promise, offering local and toll free phone service, cable TV and Internet access, all for $30 a month. 

The driver simply pulled up to a truck stop that had been PNV "pods", connected two cables, and signed on to the Park 'N View phone and data service.  The company claimed 50,000 members at one time with close to 150,000 hookups at truck stops across the country.

By most accounts, when the system worked, it provided the services its customers sought, but, according to its press releases from that time, the company couldn't secure funding to maintain its service.  When they pulled the plug on PNV around 1999, fortunately, the over-the-road driver was already enjoying improved and cheaper cell phone service and other Internet access options.

Fast forward to spring, 2003.  A press release announced the introduction of the rapidly growing IEEE 802.11 technology (more commonly known as "WiFi") to the Flying J truck stop chain.  At that time, Flying J had been installing the systems and technology and its network was approximately 50% complete.

In its promotional material, Flying J states that the WiFi system is "the most convenient method for accessing the Internet. No more busy signals and no more waiting on slow modem connections! Now you can check your email and surf the web with lightning fast access. "High-Speed" Access is available from almost anywhere at Flying J, including the comfort of your truck cab and inside Flying J Travel Plazas."

Of course, one of the strongest selling points of this technology is the convenience of use from the truck cab or sleeper, as mentioned by Flying J.  With the demise of PNV, laptop users were restricted to Internet connections wherever they could be found or they would simply rent computer time at a Kinko's type establishment.

The technology
Special antennas that broadcast and receive an Internet signal have been placed in the buildings and parking lots at many Flying J locations.  A driver's laptop can be setup to receive and send this Internet signal.

Customer reports indicate that the signal works well throughout the inside of the plaza building and over the entire parking area. Large obstacles (like other trucks) may impact use of the system relative to the location of the wireless antenna.

For best results, says Flying J, the subscriber should avoid using their device in areas where the wireless card or antenna is blocked by other vehicles or buildings. Best performance is achieved when a direct line of sight is available between the device and the building roof top antennas.

Some expediters in cargo vans have shared their memories about the "good old days" of PNV.  They remember that they were obliged to park in the big truck parking areas because that's where the PNV pods had been installed.  At times, they were made aware of the tractor-trailer drivers' unhappiness with a van taking a space in an already overcrowded lot.   

Flying J doesn't provide an outgoing mail server for use with its ISP.  Many ISP's however will allow you access through their web mail using SMTP authentication. You should contact them for more information.
 
For those who don't need wireless but still want a high-speed connection, there is an option. Located in the driver's lounge and select booths in the restaurant Flying J offers data jacks.

The data jack box contains USB and Ethernet connections and provides the same high- speed access as the wireless system.  Flying J cautions that use of the USB connection will require reconfiguration of the user's laptop, but states that the necessary instruction and hardware are available in the plaza store.

Flying J says that, based on a 365-day subscription purchase, the cost to the user is less than $9 a month.  They also offer a number of other subscription increments, but they also note that these prices are an "introductory offer" that could be changed.

15 Minutes ............$1.00
60 Minutes.............$1.95
24 Hours................$4.95
31 Days................$24.95
365 Days..............$99.95

The WiFi system is compatible with Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Flying J's web site, www.flyingj.com, currently lists over 100 of their truck stops as WiFi equipped.

User comments:

-Expediting owner-operator Gene King says, "We just hooked up to Flying J's WiFi last week and so far we really like it. We have cable hook up at home and I see no difference in the speed. We had tried other methods out here on the road and everything was just too slow so we're tickled to death with this thing."

-"I was using Sprint wireless Internet service at $80.00 a month," says Roger Duncan, a tractor-trailer owner-operator from Dunedin, FL.  "Sprint has good, clear transmission, but I also experienced a few dropped calls.  Since I've started using the WiFi, I've found
that I didn't really need the wide-area coverage that Sprint offered.  Most of the time, there seems to be a Flying J with WiFi wherever I stop, and I can get on the Internet when I need to."