In-flight Wi-Fi for Con Air
The Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System is bringing broadband to its planes.
Most of the guests on flights run by the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System might not care, but in-flight Wi-Fi is coming to the U.S. Marshal's airline. The Department of Justice is seeking sources to install Wi-Fi and hard-wired Internet service on two Boeing 737-400 aircraft used for prisoner transportation. The aircraft are based at JPAT's Oklahoma City headquarters.
The service, as the statement of work makes clear, is designed for the pilots and security personnel, not for the convenience of the passengers. The specs call for an air-to-ground network with broadband speeds of 2.5 to 3 megabits per second, the ability to send 10MB email attachments, secure VPN access, and remote desktop support for Apple iPad and Windows PCs. The requirements also include AC power outlets in the cockpit and the cabin for device charging, and a small format printer.
As viewers of the TV show "Justified" are aware, U.S. Marshals value economy and dispatch. They don't want the installation of the two systems to get in the way of their flight schedules. The announcement specifies that the "minimization of aircraft downtime during the normal business week will be a major factor in selecting a vendor," and the ability to work on weekends or federal holidays will be a plus.