Jazmin Li
Fake power outlets at airports have been a source of frustration for travellers, who often find themselves searching for a functional outlet to charge their devices. This issue has been exacerbated by the increasing reliance on personal electronic devices and the challenge of finding available and working power outlets in airports. Some people have even resorted to pranksters sticking fake power outlet stickers on walls, adding to the frustration. While airports have been trying to catch up with the demand for power outlets, the high frequency of use and the lack of prioritisation for maintenance contribute to the persistent problem of non-functional outlets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lack of outlets | High demand for outlets due to personal technology |
| Pranksters sticking fake power outlets on walls | |
| Scammers stealing information via fake power sources | |
| Poor maintenance | Lack of staff to test and fix outlets |
| Low priority for airport maintenance |
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What You'll Learn
Fake power outlets are a prank played on unsuspecting travellers
The prank has received mixed reactions from people, with some finding it amusing and clever, while others consider it annoying and even "demonic". One Twitter user, Just Basic Dave (@JustBasicDave), tweeted about his experience trolling people at the airport with fake outlet stickers, which received various responses, including "there's a special place in hell for people like you".
The issue of power outlets in airports has been a long-standing one. Airports were not designed with the modern traveller's need for constant power in mind, and as a result, power outlets are often in short supply or not working. This has led to travellers resorting to sitting on the floor to charge their devices or driving longer distances to airports with better amenities.
In addition to the prank, there are other reasons why airport power outlets may not work. High foot traffic in airports means that power outlets are used frequently, leading to wear and tear. Furthermore, there may not be dedicated staff to regularly test and fix these outlets, resulting in broken outlets being left unattended for extended periods.
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Airports weren't built with modern technology in mind
Airports, as they exist today, were not designed with modern technology in mind. While airports have been trying to catch up with the times, they have been facing several challenges.
One of the main issues is that airports were not built with the idea that every traveller would have multiple personal electronic devices that require charging. As a result, there are often not enough power outlets to meet the demands of modern travellers. This has led to a situation where passengers are frequently searching for functioning power outlets, only to find that many of them are not working.
The high volume of travellers using a given outlet daily leads to wear and tear, and outlets can quickly become damaged or stop working altogether. Additionally, there is often a lack of dedicated staff to maintain and repair these outlets, as it is not considered a priority by airport management. The cost of employing licensed electricians to regularly maintain outlets is seen as an unnecessary expense, and repairs are often left to shift electricians or maintenance staff, resulting in longer wait times for fixes.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of complexity, as travellers are now more conscious of maintaining distance from others, making it even more challenging to access the limited number of functioning power outlets.
While some airports have started to address these issues by adding outlets at seats and offering wireless charging, there is still much to be done to cater to the technological needs of modern travellers. The frustration of travellers is evident, with some even choosing to drive longer distances to airports with better amenities, including reliable power sources.
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Lack of maintenance staff leads to broken outlets
While airports have been trying to catch up with 21st-century personal technology, many travellers have lamented the lack of charging ports in airports. This has been further exacerbated by the need to maintain distance from others in the post-pandemic era.
One of the main reasons for non-functional outlets at airports is the lack of maintenance staff. With dozens of people using a given outlet every day, the sockets wear down quickly. However, there is often no dedicated staff to test and fix these outlets. The airport operators consider it unnecessary to pay someone to fix these outlets, as it would cost them $35,000 per year or more. Instead, they rely on shift electricians, who may not prioritise fixing outlets.
As a result, broken outlets may go unreported or remain low on the maintenance priority list. This leads to a situation where travellers frequently encounter non-functional outlets, causing frustration and inconvenience.
To avoid this issue, some travellers opt to drive longer distances to airports with better amenities, while others have resorted to sitting on the floor to charge their devices. The problem of broken outlets highlights the need for airports to allocate resources to address maintenance issues that impact travellers' experiences.
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Juice jacking scammers steal information via fake power sources
Airports are notorious for their lack of functioning power outlets, which can be a huge inconvenience for travellers with dying phone batteries. This issue has been exacerbated by pranksters who have taken to sticking fake power outlet stickers on airport walls, frustrating travellers who are desperately seeking a charge. While this prank may seem harmless, it can have serious consequences, as it provides an opportunity for scammers to engage in "juice jacking".
"Juice jacking" is a term used to describe a ploy where scammers set up fake power sources, such as USB charging stations, to steal information from unsuspecting individuals. In late 2019, authorities in Los Angeles warned the public about this scheme, but as travel resumed post-pandemic, travellers once again encountered the issue of non-functional power outlets. The problem is not limited to real but non-functional outlets; the abundance of fake stickers on walls has made it even more challenging for travellers to find legitimate power sources.
The prevalence of fake power outlet stickers in airports has left travellers feeling annoyed and frustrated. Many have shared their experiences on social media platforms such as Twitter, expressing their dismay at realising that what they thought was a functioning outlet was merely a sticker. This prank not only plays on the frustration of travellers but also raises concerns about the potential for malicious activity, such as juice jacking.
The issue of non-functional and fake power outlets in airports is a result of several factors. Firstly, airports were not designed with the modern traveller's reliance on personal technology in mind, and they have been playing catch-up for years. Additionally, the high volume of travellers using the outlets daily leads to frequent wear and tear. Airports may also lack the incentive to fix or maintain these outlets regularly due to the cost of hiring licensed electricians.
To protect themselves from juice jacking, travellers are advised to avoid using public USB charging stations and to carry their own power adapters and cables whenever possible. By being cautious and vigilant, travellers can reduce the risk of falling victim to this scam while also managing their device charging needs.
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Real outlets are hard to find and often occupied
The problem of finding a real outlet at an airport is twofold. Firstly, outlets are hard to find, and secondly, they are often occupied.
Airports weren't built with the idea that every traveller would have multiple devices that need charging. As a result, there are simply not enough outlets to meet demand. In addition, outlets that are available are often in use, and with dozens of people using a single outlet every day, they can quickly wear down and stop working.
The issue is exacerbated by the fact that there is often no one employed to test and fix these outlets, and it is not a priority for airport maintenance staff. As a result, a broken outlet can stay broken for a long time.
The challenge of finding a working outlet has led to frustration and anger among travellers, with some even resorting to driving longer distances to airports with better amenities.
The situation has also given rise to pranks, with people sticking fake outlet stickers on walls, further adding to the frustration of travellers trying to charge their devices.
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Frequently asked questions
Fake outlets in airports are sometimes the result of a prank played by people sticking fake power outlet stickers on airport walls. However, some outlets may not work due to wear and tear from frequent use, and airports not prioritizing the maintenance of these outlets.
Travellers have expressed frustration and annoyance with fake power outlets in airports, especially when they are in urgent need of charging their devices. Some have even opted to avoid certain airports due to the lack of reliable charging options.
Yes, authorities have warned about a scam called "juice jacking," where scammers set up fake power sources to steal information from unsuspecting individuals using public USB charging stations.
