My 13 hour flight just got delayed 7 hours, I’m stuck at my second airport, and I dont think I’m gonna make it. I have some movies and audio books on my phone, but really only anticipated having to burn the flight time via napping and some media, not 7 hours leading up to it, and I’m pretty sure I’m gonna mentally burn out on passive media.
- I have media on my phone - movies, shows and audio books, but I can only do about 2-3 hours at a stretch before I burn out on those things.
- I have wifi and power both on the ground and on the plane, although I’m sure the connection once we get going isn’t going to be performance enough for online games.
- I have a phone and headset but didn’t bring a laptop because it was just extra bulk I didn’t think I’d need. I don’t have a switch or steam deck or anything neat.
- I have access to the airport lounge, so drinks are free, and I get free drinks on the plane. I don’t want to get wasted or have to pee constantly, so my plan is to jim lahey it.
- I’m intrigued by mobile games, but every one I’ve tried has felt too gimmicky with gambling or freemium BS mechanics. Also tried started valley but it never got me hooked either. I have an android and will buy games if they’re worth it.
- I’m open to any other ideas that could somehow mentally (or physically while on the ground) stimulate me.
- I’m a dude in my 30s with a family and kids, but I’m currently traveling solo.
- I’ve already killed 2 hours on a plane and 2 more on the ground (my planned connection time) doing nothing, I was saving my media trying to avoid burning out on shit before I get on the plane.
- I suck at sleeping when on the go.
- I’m on my 3rd mimosa and bored as fuck.
Help.
Tell TSA your username. They’ll find something for you to do for 20 hours.
Those are for later 👀
I want to upvote you but your upvotes are at 69 and I don’t want to ruin the magic
Whenever I get stuck in an airport I like to use the opportunity to move around, since you’re not going to have that luxury on your flight.
Airport scavenger hunt:
Easy (1 point)
– Someone trying to explain to a TSA agent why there’s a larger-than-3.4-ounces bottle of shampoo/conditioner/moisturizer in his or her carry-on bag.
– Someone throwing away a bottle of water or newly bought cup of coffee at the TSA checkpoint (get an extra two points if the person is chugging the water or coffee in order not to waste it, or three points if it’s alcohol).
– One person using all the outlets at a charging station for his or her multiple devices.
– The traveler pretending not to know English in order to board the flight before his or her zone is called.
– Someone with a carry-on bag on the chair next to him or her in the waiting area to discourage anyone else from sitting there.
– The vacationer in shorts departing a warm-weather destination for a cold-weather one.
– Someone in a later zone blocking the gate entrance so passengers in earlier zones can’t board.
– The well-dressed business traveler with just a briefcase who is on a cell phone every minute before takeoff.
– The couple standing on both sides of the moving walkway, preventing anyone else from passing them.
Medium (2 points)
– A woman trying on eye shadow, nail polish or perfume at a duty-free shop.
– A gate attendant pretending he or she doesn’t see the person waiting at the desk to ask a question.
– Someone near the check-in desk repacking a suitcase and redistributing items because the bag is too heavy.
– A rowdy school/church group that you hope isn’t on your flight.
– An argument at the ticket counter (add an extra two points if the gate agent is actually remaining friendly and trying to help).
– A small child with a character-themed suitcase/backpack.
Hard (3 points)
– A kid standing on the baggage claim conveyer belt (get an extra point if the kid has actually gone for a ride on it).
– A person fumbling with multiple coins and currencies while trying to pay at a shop or restaurant.
– The backpackers who have clearly been traveling for months and may or may not have dreads (an extra point for dreads).
– The person who arrives late to the airport and begins asking everyone if he or she can cut the line in order to make it to the gate in time.
– The honeymooners (or soon-to-be-married couple) wearing bride and groom apparel.
– Sports team members wearing matching uniforms.
– Someone changing in a bathroom stall (an extra point if he or she uses the sink for face washing or tooth brushing).
Baba is You. It is one of the best puzzle games ever made, and available on mobile.
Not trying to be a contrarian (it just happens!) but boredom will not kill you. In fact, I challenge you to sit and be bored for a good few minutes. It’s good for you. I’m terrible at it myself, but that’s what being a dopamine crack addict will do, I guess.
If you’re out of ideas for things to do, try mindfulness meditation (Waking Up is an app with a bunch of free lessons to get you started) - very little woowoo, just pay cursory attention to something, then when your mind inevitably wanders off, just “notice” and be, well, mindful. It’s like an antidote for boredom, in a weird way, and studies have shown that for whatever reason, it’s good for you.
Myself, I read books for any “random short term downtime”.
I tried this mindfulness thing a few times, and just can’t seem to get the hang of it.
Does the voice in your head distract you?
That’s part of the point, you aren’t necessarily supposed to have an empty mind the whole time. I mean, if you can do that, great, but you aren’t failing if that’s not the case.
Imagine that your thoughts are buses, and your job is to sit at the bus stop and not get on any of them. Just notice them and let them go by. Like a bus stop, you don’t really control what comes by, but you do control which ones you get on board and follow. If you notice that you’ve gotten on a bus, that’s fine, just get off of it and go back to watching. Interesting things can happen if you just watch and notice which thoughts go by, and it’s good practice for noticing what you’re thinking and where you’re going and taking control of it yourself when it’s somewhere you don’t want to go.
If the lounge has a shower, do some exercise get that energy out of your system. Then take a shower.
You got 7 hours to kill, do some laps around the airport. Get the energy out. And when you’re ready to rest, play some games on your phone (like a emulator)
And when you get on the flight just veg out
I don’t know about a full workout, since my athletic clothes aren’t available to me, but lugging my shit on laps is a good call just to burn energy. I did a lap of the airport and it was about 45 min, so another mimosa or two at the next lounge then I’ll do another lap or two.
