Hong Kong Airport
I’m in a stopover at HK airport, which is an impressive example of how nice modern airports can get. Over the past decade, airports have transitioned from cold grey concrete structures to stainless steel glass-covered architectural wonders that house chic boutiques and trendy cafes. Even then, HK airport stands out as an outstanding piece of work.
Yet, as I hunt around for a power outlet, I realize that this airport wasn’t designed for a notebook user in mind. Which is either extremely short sighted, or an ingenious means of compelling transit visitors to shop instead of work on their computers. There are simply NO power points in view, and finally one helpful employee tells me that there are some concealed plugs recessed deep by the side of some plants. And it’s far away from any table or seating area, so I’ll have to perch my notebook on a ledge to work. How frustrating!
January 9th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
I was at the HKIA just this morning. Alas, I looked everywhere for power outlets (I looked around the plants, too) and the only ones I could find were intended for the cleaning crew. Some were built into the floor, beneath loose tiles, but in the middle of the floor. I didn’t see anyone plugged in (only a couple people with portable electricity to spare and that wasn’t nearly enough to last through the night). I would have paid for electricity, too, if it had been offered at a reasonable price, but apparently no one was selling. Of course, I could have paid for business class and signed up for the exclusive airline clubs and be offered sleek workstations, Oriental Wrist Massages, what have you. But that’s so…old-fashioned, like public restrooms in some countries where you had to buy tissues from an old lady seated at the entrance….