One more reason to love truck stops

So, while I was in Seattle, McDonald’s announced that it’s going to start offering wireless access in its stores. This is interesting insofar as it shows how WiFi is spreading beyond traditional geek havens. However, last night while driving home from the airport, I stopped for gas. Turns out that T/A Travel Centers, a large network of truck stops, is adding WiFi access too. (They’re still rolling it out, and I have a call in to their project leader to get more details). I already favor the Monroe T/A because it has the nearest Popeye’s, so this is an extra bonus.
This provides terrific proof that the market for widespread WiFi is still growing rapidly. I love the idea that I can combine fueling and emailing, even though I can get email on a handheld. Of course, I could go off on a lengthy digression about how stupid it is that most major airports (which, as you may have noticed, are often filled with impatient laptop-toting connectivity junkies) don’t have WiFi but that truck stops and fast-food restaurants do, but I’ll spare you.
Now, to teach my 8-year-old how to pump gas so I can stay inside and use the laptop…