iPads being distributed to pilots now

re-pilot said:
Any specs on these iPads yet?  Are these wi-fi only?  If so, are they giving us a VPN connection to use, or do they expect us to use Starbuck's public wi-fi?  Essentially, I'm viewing these as a lighter version of the old cinder block cases and nothing else--lest one gets tracked, hacked, or even sacked by using it as a personal electronic device.
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AT&T 16G iPad Air
 
Only on this board would the issue of iPads to employees turn into a complaint about the company.
 
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jimntx said:
I know the PMAA pilots are very happy with their Ipads...as opposed to those hernia-inducing manual cases.  :lol:
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US Airways has not issued hernia-inducing manual cases to its pilots for several years.  Well, they probably do induce some hernias, but not to the pilots.  The cases stay in the airplanes.  IMHO, the iPads are in some ways a step backward.  
 
For those years since US dispensed with individual flight bags, I needed only to carry:
 
1. a small-profile binder holding maybe 150 pages.  
 
Now, I have to carry:
 
1. the iPad,
2. the iPad power supply and cord,
3. the spare battery (which reviews say is a fire hazard, and will not operate as the company instructions say to use it),
4. the proprietary charger for the spare battery,
5. the iPad protective case,
6. the Quick Response Handbook, and
7. the single-page Normal Checklist.
 
Maybe those PMAA pilots are happy with their iPads.  I would rather see the shipsets around for another 975 days, and they can keep their iPads.
 
The iPads should be permanently attached to the aircraft. Not only would it be cheaper, but nobody would have to carry around more junk.
 
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Glenn Quagmire said:
Just leave it in the hotel room when heading to the strip club for dinner. Problem solved.
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It will be in the Faraday case before it leaves the cockpit.  The ONLY place the company will "see" my iPad is in the cockpit of one of their airplanes, or passing through the crew room for Company WiFi updates.  
 
vsi0 said:
AT&T 16G iPad Air
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AT&T compatible, or are they giving us an AT&T data plan for use with the iPad?  If no data plan, I would hope a VPN is provided for security.
 
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re-pilot said:
 
AT&T compatible, or are they giving us an AT&T data plan for use with the iPad?  If no data plan, I would hope a VPN is provided for security.
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There is no data plan in place right now.  The previous iPads had GPS in them only if you bought one that had cell capability.  If it was strictly WiFi, then the positioning depended on having WiFi stations from which to estimate a very inaccurate position.
 
Perhaps the company ordered these AT&T compatible units to get the GPS feature in order to track the unit (only in case off loss or theft, of course!)  They're making noises that the cell feature may be turned on in the future.
 
Wouldn't it be nice if we could use the iPads to see real time weather and radar data? Company policy is that we are not allowed to use the GOGO wifi service in the cockpit. So all of the passengers can get that info, but the two people who could use it the most are not allowed access.
Policy making is looked at in the most negative way first (internet access is bad!)  Ignoring the actual benefits of the technology.
 
I like the idea of having iPads. Having that vast amount of information in one small device is going to be very useful. Perhaps making use of ALL of the benefits will never be allowed, but I remain hopeful.
 
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ItsJustAJob said:
Wouldn't it be nice if we could use the iPads to see real time weather and radar data? Company policy is that we are not allowed to use the GOGO wifi service in the cockpit. So all of the passengers can get that info, but the two people who could use it the most are not allowed access.
Policy making is looked at in the most negative way first (internet access is bad!)  Ignoring the actual benefits of the technology.
 
I like the idea of having iPads. Having that vast amount of information in one small device is going to be very useful. Perhaps making use of ALL of the benefits will never be allowed, but I remain hopeful.
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You certainly bring out valid concerns.
 
Perhaps you should develop this "theme" into an ASAP report, and make the company tapdance for the FAA.  
 
So...no cellular data (yet), and no GoGo.  Unless I'm missing something, that brings us back to wild-west public wi-fi with no VPN.  That does not sound too safe.
 
I have more capability in my single engine with the Garmin G1000 glass and then my ipad and stratus and foreflight. From sportys. It's an ads b receiver that connects to the ipad... One time charge for receiver 795.... Then free. 5 minute old NEXRAD,traffic,gps,metar, terrain back up attitude, completely wireless. Check out 2nd generation stratus for foreflight on you tube
 
A mylar food bag will work as a faraday bad for your iPad and costs far less. Cell phone signals don't get through.  
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8a7MyXp1Ws
 
Mylar food bags come in all sizes and are very inexpensive.  
 
http://www.amazon.com/50-Gallon-Size-Mylar-Storage/dp/B009GYNH9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1394138764&sr=1-1&keywords=mylar+bags
 
Or use a WalMart emergency aluminum blanket and make any size bag you want.
 
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wenzel-Emergency-Blanket/15111420
 
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