My colleague at PingWi-Fi tells me I am superstitious. Not so … “just don’t want to take any chances” as my high school coach was prone to repeat.
As I headed for the airport this morning, ready to load up for the press conference in San Francisco, there was a big sign. A police car, an officer, flares and orange safety cones were diverting all traffic from the interstate. The highway between Fort Worth and Dallas (which I needed, to hit my flight on Southwest) was closed. Yes … since I needed to travel. That was a bad sign.
We took an alternative route and made the flight on time. Later, I heard that a pedestrian had been struck by an automobile creating the problem. Horrible! So, it certainly was a sign … a sign that people shouldn’t walk across the highway. Sorry, that was bad … I hope everyone is okay.
Then … I got onboard the Southwest jet, after checking e-mails at Love Field — using an AT&T connection by the way — and I saw another great sign. It was wrapped around the waist of the male flight attendant. No! It wasn’t a Texas belt buckle and personalized, handcrafted leather belt as you might expect. It was an apron … and plastered all over this apron were Texas Tech letters and logos and masked riders. (If you don’t know, I like me some Red Raider football!) Now that is a good sign. Things are looking up … or “Guns Up!” as they say at Texas Tech … although you don’t want to say that too loudly on a plane.
Southwest Airlines gets me there on time, always. There are several Wi-FI networks to choose from at their gates … and now, their flight attendants are representin — 6 pings.
So I landed in Phoenix and there I took a little break before flying on to San Francisco in the morning for the press conference. So, I beat it over to my hotel. Picture me saying “Oh my!” with about five syllables in the “my-y-y-y” part because I am so impressed. This place is a swimming pool lover’s palace. (More on their Wi-Fi later … I have to get to one of the myriad pools …)
Night Bean
Meanwhile, I needed a caffeination, so I walked across the street from the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort At Gainey Ranch. Just saying the name makes me thirsty. And … the weather here in Scottsdale must be in the 80s … pretty awesome. I found a cool little chain called The Coffee Bean. You don’t see them much in my neck of the woods, so I popped inside.
The sign on the door says it all: “Totally FREE Wi-Fi.” I am so there …
Yes it is a chain, and by that, I mean you can tell things are done consistently and with high quality. And there are a few touches that are sort of reminiscent of a fun mom/pop shop.
Is there Wi-Fi? Yes there is and it is free. But, if you are out in the parking lot, you may be out of luck. The signal gets out there. But, to use the free Wi-Fi at this
Allie, Rachel
Coffee Bean, you have to walk right up to the big flat screen telly, sort of like you are vision impaired, and find the number in the lower left hand corner. And yes, the code changes daily.
Two new friends were more than happy to help out a weary traveler, and showed me the ropes … for the code. That was another good sign. People helping people … man I love this gig.
The Wi-Fi at The Coffee Bean (powered by Ripple Wi-Fi) was picture perfect … never dropping me once during a two-hour visit. They make a mean pom/blueberry smoothie too — 6 pings.
Off to beddy-bye … big day tomorrow. Up at 5 a.m. to catch the shuttle to Phoenix Sky Harbor, for an 8:45 touchdown at SFO, then the media event.
When will I review the Wi-Fi at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort At Gainey Ranch? I did explore … Well … I don’t know … perhaps a few days. But I can guarantee you that the score will not be a third 6 in a row awarded during my Phoenix/Scottsdale trip … because I am not superstitious, but I am not taking any chances.
Know what I sayin’?
