The cost of making airplanes ready for wi-fi are incredible: $500,000 per plane, not to mention grounding the plane for two weeks while it is being outfitted. So far, only the Boeing 737-400 "Popsicle" (an orange and white plane) seems to have wi-fi. It is available to passengers for $9.95. I would pay that fee to have internet while I fly. I flew Friday from Missouri to Pennsylvania, and lost a business day of posting for these blogs because of my lack of wi-fi on the long flight.

Airlines need to make a profit from having wi-fi on the planes. However, the technology won't benefit just business travelers like me. It will also improve telemedicine, making sure that not only can doctors stay in touch with clinics long distance, but also that if medical emergencies arise in the air, computers can be used to aid in treatment. It will probably be awhile before we can sign on to the internet midflight, but I can see the writing on the wall. And it's exciting.

Next, I'd like to see wireless available when I'm in my car on cross-country trips... Can you imagine what that would do for telemedicine?