Aug. 3, 2000

Typically when there's a wait involved at an airport, you can grab a bite to eat, pick up a newspaper or buy a trinket at the gift shop.

But as News Specialist Scott Light tells us, the latest venture at Salt Lake International allows you to check e-mail, send out a fax or print out your next business presentation.

The newest way to kill time at Salt Lake International is a line of numbered booths called 'Laptop Lane.'

Call it a web cafe without the latte'-- a quiet place in cyberspace, or simply a chance to play computer solitaire.

"IT'S AN OFFICE ON THE GO."

Laptop Lane caters to business travelers mostly who have the urge to check at the office. Of course, the computers, internet access, fax machines and phones aren't free.

John Suwara got change back from a five. His bill was $4.50 after he and his wife went online to trade stock.

John Suwara/Laptop Lane Customer: "WERE YOU SUCCESSFUL?" "OH YEAH. WE'LL FIND OUT IF WE MADE MONEY OR NOT MAYBE BY LATER ON TONIGHT."

Five minutes of booth time cost two dollars, each additional minute 38 cents.

Brian and Christina Kuder had some time before a connecting flight, heading to a friend's wedding.

Brian Kuder/Laptop Lane Customer: "WE DIDN'T KNOW THE PHONE NUMBER OF A PERSON'S PARENTS WHO WE HAVE TO MEET UP WITH FOR THE WEDDING. SO WE LOOKED UP THEIR PHONE NUMBER." "GET IT?" "YES, WE DID."

And there was one more important thing to find.

"CHECKED MY FANTASY LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES." "HOW'D YOU DO?" "I'M DOING WELL."

Scott Light: "EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. IN TURNS OUT LAPTOP LANE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BESIDE TWO MOVING WALKWAYS."

When the crowds are coming through, the booths definitely get noticed. But Joanne Suwara says something's still missing.

Joanne Suwara/Laptop Lane Customer: "I WISH THERE WERE TWO CHAIRS IN THERE THOUGH. HE WAS SITTING AND I WAS LOOKING OVER THE SHOULDER."