your experiences with WI-FI at Pilot, Flying J and TA truck stops?

Hi there,

Hubby has been talking about getting a tablet that he'd use on the truckstop's WI-FI. His favorite truckstops are Pilot, Flying J and TA. I've started researching this and find he can pay for WI-FI using his points as one option but can otherwise pay hourly, daily etc. I was told by one person that the WI-FI the truckstops use isn't very reliable, dropped connections etc. I don't want to take the word of just one person so I'm asking for input from others.

I really would prefer to not hook-up through our cell provider, I have a Nexus 7 tablet I would give him that doesn't require a provider it's just straight WI-FI and can be used on any WI-FI connection.

Also, what do you know about security on truckstop WI-FI connections? I understand you login and there might be a password needed but I can't seem to find anything so far on the encryption/security level.

Your input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Deb

 

You guys are great, thanks for the quick input! It's Verizon but he doesn't have, want or need a smartphone. He's got a simple flip phone and wants to keep it that way. The only way he could get a hotspot would be if we bought one. We only have a 4G data plan. I can monitor it but I'd really rather not have to deal with that.

 

He doesn't have a smartphone so no built in hotspot. I'd have to get him a tablet that we could add on to our VZW account at $10 mo. We already fork out $160mo for our cell bill and we only have a 4G plan. I don't know how fast his using it would eat up that 4G. I guess the only way to know would be to do it. I can monitor our usage and tell him he's gotta watch what he's doing I guess. Ugh, another $10 a mo ... I know it doesn't seem like much but believe me, our wallet says it is.

 

That's pretty much me .25 mo. He wants to do Facebook w/his sisters but I know that at least at first he'll be like a kid in a candy store, LOL! I guess we'll have to talk about this some more. I don't think he really comprehends how fast one's data can get used up. He's not tech-savvy at all, I'd have to teach him how to do everything.

Thank you all for your input, you saved me from making a huge mistake in counting on the truckstop WI-FI! Now at least I know what direction to stick too where before I was all over the place not knowing what to do.