Feature Photo: wavebreakerPhoto: May Mendoza
How many times have you heard the tinny, dreaded announcement – “flight xyz has been delayed and will now be departing….at an indefinite moment in the future.” Here are some ways to cope.
It’s another flight delay. Your life will not come to an end; in fact, it has been presented with an opportunity.
1. Find a kid
Photo: woodleywonderwork’s
Photo: woodleywonderwork’s
If you’re a fan of children this will work for you and endear you to some fellow passengers for being wonderful enough to distract their children for even a few minutes. More importantly – children nearly always travel with supplies. By this I mean crayons, markers, and things to color.
If you have not revisited the wonders of coloring as an adult I pity you and recommend you remedy this as soon as humanely possible. Now go on, find a kid and play.
2. Haiku
I am serious. Haikus are short, simple, and challenging as hell.
The best part? You need nothing but your brain. Vent your frustrations into these little three line gems.
Photo: glindsay65
Even better with company, the history of the haiku is filled with shared poetry, where friends would begin one piece and the next in line would continue and so on and so forth.
Pick a theme. Be raunchy. Be serious. Be ridiculous.
3. Talk
Really. Look around you, you’ll likely find someone as bored as you are. Go over and introduce yourself and never allow yourself to be deceived by appearances. At the very least, you can gripe together. Remember that everyone has a story; the trick is just to listen.
4. Walk
And walk some more. Sure you are tired, but get your blood moving and explore your environment.
Photo: shearforce
How many hours are you going to be stuck in that plane seat anyway? Take this opportunity to be good to your body, enjoy a simple walk and smile at people you pass. It doesn’t matter if they look at you like you’re crazy. Someone who has had an even more wretched time in the airport than you will appreciate it.
5. Write a letter or two.
It’s old-fashioned and old school, but take this chance to think about the people in your life. The people you appreciate, but never get around to actually telling them that you do. No paper handy? Nab a few sturdy napkins. They’re amazingly versatile. It doesn’t matter on what you present your love, affection, and gratitude –it just matters that you do.
The funny thing about travel is that something always happens which is not according to plan. We are used to moving, moving, moving at such a pace that when we are slapped into stillness for some horribly “inconvenient” reason we are at a loss as to what to do with ourselves. Stop, take a deep breath in spite of your irritation and boredom, and enjoy these moments as a gift to get out of the constant motion of your travels.
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What are your flight delay stories? Give us your superb, your appalling, your inspiring, your educational, your barely believable flight delay adventures. We know you’ve got ‘em. Sound off below.
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10 Comments... join the discussion!
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Thanks so much Lola! I’m having a lot of fun around here!
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I usually get stuck in heathrow alot and most of the time I just walk, walk, walk… great tips Sana! Hopefully more articles to come from you?
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very cool. my friends think i’m crazy but i actually get pleasure from delays and cancellations in airports. most airports are like miniature cities, and just like a city if you look hard enough you’re bound to find something interesting.
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Tip #6. People Watching – Such an easy way to pass some time at an airport. You’ll always see people from all walks of life.
Good tips though.
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Great post Susana! I have found myself dong many of these during long delays. It certainly beats spending a ton of money at the bar and increasing the waistline. I’m just glad that several of the airports that I’m now stuck in have also added new facilities like gyms and spas. Getting a pedicure instead of stressing about a mechanical flight delay is the way to go!
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Aww nice job Sus! Actually that is a huge benefit in bringing my knitting to airports. It has been the ice breaker for so many fascinating conversations!
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Having sworn off of celebrity gossip magazines in everyday life, this is one of the few times I allow myself to indulge into an US Weekly or equivalent. I tend to fly red-eyes or early mornings so I can stay up all night and exhaust myself for the ride, so mindless entertainment is usually all my tired brain can handle. In a foreign country where you don’t even recognize the cover stars, this can be twice as entertaining!
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What about sleep! I totally agree with people watcing as well. Great article!
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You could also read that book/magazine/paper that you should always have on you when traveling in case of delays.
Love #1 – temporary babysitter. Great article.
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