FWIW, I seem to be having better luck since I altered my network setup.
Previously, had modem feeding wifi router/switch with cat5 going to the PT computer(what I would call a "typical" setup). Connection was completely erratic and I gave up on it after 3 days of fussing.
Now; pulled the cat5 from the PT computer and connected to another wifi router/switch right at the workstation(a $39 Netgear N300 piece from Best Buy) and use this wifi ONLY for the iPad(everything else connects to the main router) and its been way better(but this is only the first day so more testing/abuse is called for
)