We just returned from a trip to Portugal from Los Angeles. This involved a number of flights, in this case 4 legs. Each plane was very different in the way they dealt with entertainment. The first flight, each seat had a screen right in front of your eyeballs. All you had to do was plug-in earphones and everything was fine. There was a good choice of movies and TV shows, my plan was to break up the 10 hour flight into a movie watching binge plus a few shows. I expected most planes to be the same, on the way back I was thrown a curveball.
This plane each seat did not have a screen. Instead there is a holder/cradle for your phone or tablet. You download an app where you access their library. Now you are responsible for placement, choice and power. There was a power plug between the seats that you can barely access without creating a shriek by some old lady. There was no USB plug so you must provide your own power source. So overall I found the process somewhat annoying. Being what it may, if you want to watch 8 hours of entertainment you need a power source. I should have brought the octopus power plug. I was hesitant because I thought it would draw scrutiny at check points being it’s kind of wiry looking. It would have been a good traveling addition. It allows charging of most plug endings. I was saved by using a lipstick style power charger.
Every room we stayed in had WIFI. We watched our usual Netflix shows regularly. What would have been nice is bringing a Google Chromecast device. We watched shows on a tablet propped up on a backpack, with a Chromecast we could have watched on a bigger set.
So here is your Essential Mobile Travel Accessories kit for 2017.
• cellphone/tablet
• power charger
• phone charging cord
• headphones
• power cord octopus
• chromecast
• lipstick back-up power source
• USB power plug
• European convertor
• Book (analog back-up)
I would suggest keeping all of these things in a small bag in your carry-on. Remember to grab all of these when leaving your room during final inspection.
