Power Outlets in Airports

One thing I've found to be invaluable is what electricians call a "cube tap". It's one of those 3-plug jobbies--one male, 3 female outlets. So, when you DO find a working outlet but someone''s using it already, you can use it too. And you can share your power.

I use the perimeter/pole method for finding outlets (take a lap around the area, outlets tend to be in walls) then check pillars, then look at the floor for those brass things that cover outlets. -- Lorin Rivers Mosasaur: Killer Technical Marketing <http://www.mosasaur.com> <mailto:lriversmosasaur.com> 512/203.3198 (m)

I thought this article rang a bell. Please note this NYTimes article about much the same sort of issue but more broadly based than just airports. Also note this older NYTimes article is thankfully not the kind they charge for (though registration is usually required) <g>.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/06/technology/circuits/06powe.html

On a more local to me note. I've been after the powers that be at the large academic research library I work at to put in power strips to the study table areas. To avoid all those feet catching extended power cords running from tables to walls and across walk way areas. Let's hear if for the new Apple power cord connector to save the laptops, but that still doesn't get to the power availability issue. And yes near exam periods there are enterprising students who bring both extension cords and power strips with them. Gee they've managed to put WI-FI everywhere, but not power..... duh. <grin>

-- Mark Beatty mbeatty at wils.wisc.edu http://www.wils.wisc.edu

I sympathize with anyone searching for an outlet at an airport. Outlets in an airport concourse are for the convenience of the maintenance staff. That is why some are not standard 110v outlets. They are often twist-lock types that prevent the cord from pulling out.

The last new major airport in the US was Denver International, opened over 10 years ago and designed long before the need for laptop and cellphone chargers (by the way, if you do find an outlet on one of the concourse columns it won't fry your Powerbook adaptor).

I always carry a simple extension cord to facilitate sharing outlets.

Howard Turetzky hydrahtmac.com

Airports seem to have a found a way to recover costs of all those
power hungry travelers:

http://www.bookofjoe.com/2006/02/put_your_plug_a.html

Original article is from the Wall Street Journal, like requires
registration, but a summary in that blog.

Steve Cochran

FYI, I'm sitting in the Albuquerque airport right now and there are
lots of outlets available. My Powerbook is now plugged in and
charging and I'm surfing and emailing happily with the airport's free
wi-fi service. Not bad!

Howard

On 2/16/06 11:08 AM, "hydraht" <hydrahtmac.com> wrote:

> The last new major airport in the US was Denver International, opened over 10
> years ago and designed long before the need for laptop and cellphone chargers
> (by the way, if you do find an outlet on one of the concourse columns it won't
> fry your Powerbook adaptor).

FWIW, I believe the replacement terminal at Reagan National is newer than
that. Other terminals at places like JFK and LGA have been completely redone
in that time as well.