No more free laptop leads (from 1st Oct 09)

[Nottingham Nick]

I will post this in the Clubhouse for now, but am sure it will hit General Discussion soon, so will merge the threads then.

Virgin are no longer going to provide laptop leads free. But, in usual VS style, they are dressing the cutback up as an enhancement. [n]

Instead of providing the free leads, which they accept do not support some machines, (and all too often - there aren't enough to go round) they will now sell a 'one size fits all' product for 69.00. -This is to provide the customer with a better service!!!

From October 1st they will be selling a Teleadapt Power Inverter through the retail bars.

If you want to beat the rush, it is already available from Buy before you fly.


Nick

[RichardMannion]

I suppose it was inevitable really, as BA didn't supply them in NCW - but then they have the new std US AC socket instead.

The 'spin' is really grating now though. They clearly are on drugs, and unless they start pricing themselves lower to reflect the cuts in service I think the nail will be in the coffin for us moving to BA. I wonder when the website will be updateds to say that they have in-flight power in J and W, but you will need to bring your own PSU or pay them 69?

69 is high, you can find other solutions for less than that.

[Neil]

[n]

So what are VS going to do with all the leads they currently have, just throw them away? Just another way for VS to try and screw some more money out of their loyal pax.

[HighFlyer]

Not another senseless cut to try and make a buck. This is such a shame. Why stop handing out the old leads?

As Richard says, the BA seat has a standard US plug, no need for empower leads, and it actually charges your laptop as well. A much better option, and turning BA's weakness for not providing a lead into an advantage.

Thanks,
Sarah

Never bothered plugging in before, but have the SYD run where me thinks maybe needed;
Am I therefore best taking my laptop's original power supply lead and a US adapter?

quote:edit- apparently not, as Sarah's just posted- can you get empower leads independently?
Or will I need something else?

NH

[HighFlyer]

NH - if you are flying VS you will need an Empower adapter/lead. Something like this from Kensington or this for Mac users. If you are flying BA, just the standard power brick for 240v and a US adapter.

Thanks,
Sarah

Well, Virgin somewhat set themselves apart from the competition by providing EmPower leads in the first instance.

Some of us will probably remember the 'bad old days' when you could only use a Virgin supplied EmPower lead, which meant you were rather stuffed if they didn't have a tip for your device.

So, it was a typical thing of the 'old' Virgin to do, but could also be seen as a double-edged sword if you fell into the latter category.

Of course, this has now been relaxed, and we probably find that most pax bring their own EmPower leads anyway, or we've got that situation where many laptops need more power than the 75W that 15V DC EmPower can provide (such as my company laptop, which needs a lot of tweaking and coaxing not to cause the EmPower socket to cut out).

The upshot of this is that laptop leads aren't borrowed as often, and so maybe VS don't think there's any need to carry them anymore?

It's a shame that VS didn't go for regular AC sockets when the UCS and the new PE suite were launched, as they did exist around that time.

As a result, many competitors with newer, or recently refurbished, equipment now appear to have an advantage over VS.

Of course, new equipment for VS will no doubt be supplied with regular AC and USB sockets, hopefully in all seats, but that's a little way off.

Thanks,
Mike

It was always half hearted in delivery, inevitable to go.

Occasionally I had a really great FSM who would proactively offer to get me a lead, normally no one bothered and you usually had to ask for the in seat power to be turned on in any case.

Unlike Nick, I have never encountered a situation in which there weren't enough to go around. Now I have a nine hour battery and usually am slumbering under the effect of heat and drink long before that's up!

So VS marketing and operations **** it up again!

[Scrooge]

Whats even worse is you can pick up a converter for a heck of a lot less than that, I would look here to start with.

If your in the US go to Target and grab a converter, $29

I picked up the exact product VS are selling for 69 from the US new on ebay for 30 delivered.

Did not know whether to post this in General Discussion or Travel Technology - settled for the latter (but Mods, feel free to move it).

It seems that Virgin are dropping the provision of free laptop power leads for Upper Class passengers from October. They make the reasonable claim that it was hard to keep up with the pace of technology and offer leads for all laptops.

They will offer for sale onboard the same laptop power adapter that BA sell onboard, at exactly the same price as BA.
http://www.highlifeshop.com/p-203-telea ... erter.aspx
What is interesting is that this is a 90 watt adapter - thought Virgin said the per-seat limit was 70 watts?

OK, not a huge reduction in service as the business class pax who needs to ensure they can work onboard will doubtless have their own laptop power adapter anyway. You can't help but wonder how VS got the idea though, of both which device to offer for sale and the price to charge. And no, I am not suggesting that they collude with BA, as that would be illegal (on fuel surcharges!)

James

Already being discussed elsewhere

The rattling of the key chains is growing louder...

GJ

[Nottingham Nick]

The rattle of the merger strikes again. [:D][}:)]

[RichardMannion]

Now call me a logical person, but why don't Virgin supply their own 'one size fits all' adaptor and solve the problem of trying to keep up with technology? Or do we jsut cut through the crap and say that its an opportunity to try and make more money as we all know they aren't selling them on to customers at cost.

If you order it now on-line from retail therapy you can get 5.00 off for spending more than 60.00 !

now posted on the site
lets reduce our inclusive inflight service, and make the customer PAY

[V]

Hi,

Just noticed on the VA webiste there is a change of policy. From October 2009 they will no longer offer complimentary laptop adaptor leads onboard.


Just another cutback at VA.

Ralph

[Nottingham Nick]

Laptop lead topics merged and original one moved to general discussion.
As NH has pointed out, the info is now on the VS website.

Nick

Interesting - Laptops restricted to 70W power
Other electrical items allowed 100W!

I'm beginning to love SQ more and more these days...

The connection options even in Y outstrip what you get in Upper from VS...

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/c ... ent/pc.jsp

To be honest over the past few months we have had very fewe leads on each flight and on some flights none of them have ben working or have had a bit missing, plus more often than not we don have the right tip on board.
Saying that of my last ten flights or so I think about one person has actually wanted a lead when asked, so I guess the service is being removed due to lack of popularity. We continue to shave a bit off here, shave a bit off there. They'll be making us smaller soon too! (or maybe employing dwarves to save weight?)

ISTBC, as ever, but virginboy747 confirms (at least anecdotally) my own suspicion that most people have their own leads (due to the diversity of said leads and, likely, previous frustration at not getting the proper tip, etc.) and the service simply wasn't worth keeping on as a loss leader differentiator. Might as well make a few quid from the very few folks who would avail themselves of the need for a tip onboard.

I carry my own tips, charger cords, converters, etc., for all my electronics because I've too often assumed an airline, hotel, even corporate office, would have same and they did not.

As one more drip in the devolving service, I understand why this chafes...but as a takeaway on its own, it's hardly worth too much hand wringing. I was much more PO'd about the disappearance of the IFBT, additional UC CC, red pillow and decent amenity kit (that one REALLY chapped my cheeks, dammit!!!).

GJ

Found this on Maplin's website, appears to do the job although no exact mention of 'empower'

Any thoughts?
Is the VS offered one any good?

[Darren Wheeler]

The TeleAdapt has much more potential IMHO. Having the 3-pin socket opens up more options for doublers etc.

TBH, it won't worry me as I have a Magsafe Air lead along with a Juice 70.