11.6" MacBook Air Slow Unreliable 5GHz Wifi on the Lap!

My wife and I just got new MacBook Airs, a loaded 11.6" for her, 13.3" for me (1.6 GHz 4GB/128GB and 2.13 GHz 4GB/256GB). We connect via a 45 Mbit/s download, 35 Mbit/s upload fiber connection with a Linksys WRT610N simultaneous dual-band wireless access point. My 13.3" Air works wonderfully in all respects, amazingly snappy at every task and fast 45/35 tested bandwidth via 5GHz Wireless N.
My wife's 11.6" Air, when connected to the 5 GHz band via Wireless N, tests very well when sitting on a table. But put it on your lap, and the connection becomes extremely erratic, with intermittent loss of connection when connected via LogMeIn, and download bandwidth tested at 1-10 Mbit/s only (though 10-20 Mbit/s upload). Connected at 2.4 GHz, it does fine at 45/35 bandwidth.
This is not acceptable, as the 5 GHz band is less crowded and therefore less prone to interference. Anyone else notice this phenomenon?
David

Power Cycle
Power off the router. Unplug it from the wall. Wait a while.
Plug it back to the wall. Power the router on. Wait until all the lights are lit properly. It will take a while.
Restart the computer.
Empty Caches
Safari > Preference > Advanced
Checkmark the box for "Show Develop menu in menu bar".
Develop menu will appear in the Safari menu bar.
Click Develop and select "Empty Caches" from the dropdown.

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