1. Pay $2.
2. SSH/DNS/whatever tunnel out through iMessage port.
3. Gloat? Profit?
2. Hijack MAC address
(If you're gonna cheat the system, might as well go all the way)
Didn't the FAA recently announce that use of mobile devices during flight, or gate-to-gate, is now allowed?
What is the incentive to pay $2 to send iMessages vs. simply turning on your data connection & sending iMessage as you would regularly?
Is the issue that Southwest Airlines has not opted into the new FAA regulations? Is cellular coverage poor during most flights (I admittedly haven't tried using my cellphone during flights)?
On recent flights with both United and Southwest, crews have emphasized devices must be in 'airplane mode' even if wifi is enabled later (for the inflight wifi service).
Cellular access is still controversial:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/disruptions-calling...
My understanding of cell phone tower ranges is definitely limited, but I should've realized this. Now I feel stupid!
Once we all fed up with nickel and dimeing they'll go back to flat rate to "save us money" only to then go back to al la carte.
What you just said makes it seem like you think Southwest is charging people $2 on top of their $8 fee to use WiFi, which they are most certainly not doing.
Sell inclusion in the economy plan's whitelist for a private, negotiable fee (measured in millions). Sell exclusivity per category (not outright, but by offering reasonable fees to only the highest bidder). Big players don't have to worry about competition, so their R&D costs are lower and their stocks are safer (and more attractive) investments. ISPs win, large internet companies win, small-government and pro-business voters win, the market wins. Large companies which are in themselves platforms (Google, Amazon, Apple) become the only option to reach consumers, so they can take as large of a percentage as they want. Consumers lose.
This is precisely the nightmare scenario motivating internet neutrality protections.
When it's free -- like when Google sponsors it at Christmas -- it's not usable it's so slow.