Comments on: I Just Had a Video Chat With Our CEO. He’s on a Plane

By: turn.self.off

turn.self.off — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:33:13 +0000

or why not simply use that keyboard? IM ftw ;)

By: turn.self.off

turn.self.off — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:32:08 +0000

more people need to get texting then.

a equivalent situation in japan would be a quiet train with a lot of people thumbing their phones…

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:18:09 +0000

I want to ban conversations on public transport as well :).

Just sit in silence people.

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:15:25 +0000

That would be brilliant and hopefully more and more airlines will roll out wifi services. The first thing they should do though is find a way of blocking video conferencing.

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:13:17 +0000

Agreed. There’s no difference between this and a phone on a plane.

By: Virtual Call Center

Virtual Call Center — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:49:44 +0000

Some airlines, like AirTran (who also uses Gogo), are blocking voice calls, but leaving IM/Chat capabilities. Working for a company that makes virtual call center software, voice, video, and IM on a plane is a really interesting advancement. Now salespeople, C-levels, et. al. don’t have to have downtime if they elect not to. Using Skype and our software, they can field sales calls, customer chats, etc. while flying cross-country. Pretty cool stuff, as long as you don’t bug the person seated next to you.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:05:40 +0000

That is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. Now you can really live in the cloud, or maybe above the clouds, lol.

His mic seems to be doing a great job picking up his voice and he doesn’t seem to be speaking all that loud. Really what is the difference talking to someone on the computer versus talking to someone else you are flying with. I mean you are in a public location so you still have to be courteous to others. It didn’t seem like he was being loud or annoying to others though so no problem. I would love to have a flight with wifi. Gotta find that plane tracker website to see where you are on the map, lol.

By: Doug S

Doug S — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:37:25 +0000

Next time let’s see him do it on an iPod Touch. ;-)

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:11:55 +0000

As long as its RESPECTFUL (wearing headphones, and talking at a moderate to low volume)…I dont see how its much different than a couple sitting next to each other having a conversation. I know not everyone can do this, and it is subjective. If people are getting loud, laughing and being obnoxious on a Skype call…then it is just as obnoxious as two people doing the same in person on a plane. Its a plane, not a Japanese nap shack or a morgue. And, last I checked, you were allowed to carry on a conversation on an aircraft. Although, who knows…TSA may take that away too! ;)

By: Stephen Feger

Stephen Feger — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:56:16 +0000

I’m with the “no audio crowd”. I don’t care what the reasoning is. If you’re on a plane, no calls.

As far as video chat is concerned, learn sign language. It’s more useful.

Like most everyone that frequents this blog, I love tech and I love expanding the web of interactivity. Except when I (and others) are in a confined place. Then no one can escape. There’s just no way around it. It’s always a bad idea. People in large groups are rude, always, every time. The only reason that these early experiences are not bad is because so few people have the ability to do it. Once everyone on the plane gets into it, it’s a nightmare.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:45:54 +0000

If the CEO of GigaOM doesn’t know how to circumvent it, he should be looking for a new job. And no, it’s not the same as using unapproved electronic devices or approved devices during take-off/landing as the restrictions on VOIP aren’t there for safety reasons. Unless you consider the risk of passengers starting a fight over the use of VOIP a safety risk (I could see that people sitting next to airSkypers might have problems controlling their beverage in case of turbulence).

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:41:02 +0000

Oh come on, Kevin: this story is all about you and your boss having a video chat, not about quietly checking email on a plane (and how boring would that be, given that I could do that many years ago on Lufthansa flying across the Atlantic).

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:33:27 +0000

I have no problems with airlines offering WiFi on the plane, and I’d use it if I felt the need and it was priced right.

What I do have a problem with is others using it to disturb me. Most people would probably consider it inconsiderate if I played music or games on a plane without using headsets (i.e., blasting my neighbors with the noise). I put voice calls/chats in that same category.

By: tivoboy

tivoboy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:19:06 +0000

I thought most airlines were blocking skype and voice call chat? Of course, there are pretty easy work arounds, but using it when it is prohibited, isn’t that like talking on the phone or checking your email on your cell WHILE TAKING OFF?

By: scott

scott — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:51:25 +0000

Eddie, I don’t know how much time you spend on planes, but I am often in last minute middle seats, cheapo airways. That means I have two peoples mouths 18 inches from my ears. Stereo skype? Please. It is a horror show to think of sitting coast to coast or overseas with that. Nothing personal. But there is no excuse for inconsiderate behavior in an enclosed space.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:49:09 +0000

It looked like he was using a phone headphone/mic combo that would preclude the need to talk loudly. It would also mean his seatmates could not hear Kevin either.