You’ve made it to the airport in plenty of time and breathe a deep sigh of relief, but then the word “Delayed” flashes onto the flight status screen. Suddenly are thrust into a world where waiting is what it’s all about. Being in limbo is a stressful state, but there are steps you can take to make it through that long wait.
Find out the absolute minimum time you will be waiting in order to maximize your time. In other words, if the plane you’re waiting for is still in Miami while you’re waiting in Atlanta, you may be told that you could still leave within the two hours. If you’re told that all flights to Buffalo have been cancelled because of weather conditions and it will be six hours at the very least until you’ll be leaving.
Once you know how much time you have at the minimum, make a plan. Nothing makes time drag like a vista of unplanned time—a great scenario for a vacation, but not for waiting to board a plane.
Break the block of time into manageable chunks. For example, if it looks as though you’re going to be eating a meal at the airport, decide when you’ll eat. Then plan what you’ll do before and after the meal.
Use your computer in new ways. If you’re lucky enough to have a laptop with you, you will probably resort to the same familiar sites and games. Why not try looking up a subject you have always wanted to know more about and reading a half-dozen articles about it. Find a magic trick you can learn to entertain that special nephew. Find a recipe site and plan a week’s worth of menus and make a shopping list to go with it.
Read with a purpose. Pick out a magazine you normally wouldn’t have time to read or one that's about a subject that interests you but you don’t know much about. Take a vicarious trip by picking up a travel magazine. Buy a magazine on a weekly news magazine and get caught up on all the news.
Make phone calls. If you don’t have a cell phone with you, buy a prepaid phone card at an airport kiosk. Sure, you’ll call whoever is waiting for you at the other end of the flight, but make some calls you have been meaning to make but never seem to get around to. Think how satisfied you’ll feel having caught up with Great Aunt Sally, your nice ex-neighbor who always sends you a Christmas card, the vet to ask when Fido needs his check-up, and so on.
Shop for greeting cards. Make a list of all the upcoming birthdays for family and friends. Hit a gift shop and systematically go through the list, saving yourself many last-minute errands looking for cards. If you have an address book with you, go ahead and write notes in the cards, address them, and you might even consider buying a book of stamps. Alternately, sometimes it’s so hard to find really funny cards so why not give yourself a few laughs by looking for these and buying a little stockpile.
Exercise. Sure it’s tough pulling a suitcase and juggling a carry on, but you’ll have a great workout if you manage to walk completely around the terminal (several times in a smaller airport) zigzagging in and out of the crowds. Since rushing is a common phenomenon at the airport, no one will realize that you’re not hurrying to catch a plane. And if you’re lucky enough to be traveling with someone else, take turns watching all your stuff and you’ll really be able to hustle.
