Is the Montreal Airport Still Blocking Power from Travelers?
Back in February, BoingBoing reported that Montreal's Trudeau airport capped power outlets to prevent travelers from recharging their needy laptops before boarding:
Boing Boing: Montreal airport denies electricity to laptop users
"Alec Saunders reports that Montreal airport has put covers over its electrical outlets, presumably to stop people from charging their laptops and phones while travelling. Which is, you know, really dumb: frequent travellers need juice between flights, and airports that sell WiFi without providing the electricty to use it are like coffee-shops without toilets. They're missing out on the revenue they'd get from people who'd buy the WiFi if only they had the power to use it."
Does anyone happen to know if this non-traveler friendly policy is still in place?
Thanks, Alec. I flew into Montreal Trudeau last night and took a look around for outlets in arrivals. Not easy to find. In fact, I only found one outlet.
Montreal is not the only airport to do that, I have heard of many in Europe that do the same or worse.
Some airports have modified their power outlets in order that only a special "key" or "power convertor" work in them. These gadgets sell for about 40-50$ and work only in their respective airports... a rip off.
1. Posted by: Alec Saunders on September 6, 2006 10:14 PM:
Hi Ed,
I've been through Montreal recently, and there are places where power can be found, but you certainly have to look hard. I spent a couple of hours sitting on the floor by the only outlet at the end of one terminal a month back. Not pleasant, but at least it was there.
Best, Alec.