What Do You Do While Biding Time at Airports?

I made a note of this blog post question back in December when I flew to LA, to Virginia, and then back to St. Louis (6 total different legs, as no flights were direct). When you’re biding time during layovers and you have nothing specific to do–like, if you’ve already eaten–what do you do?

I’m asking partially because I do something that I’m surprised more people don’t do. I see a lot of people at airports settle down into chairs. I get that–chairs are the best, especially when you’re lugging around a big carry-on bag.

But here’s what I do: I walk. Specifically, I walk up and down those conveyor belt walkways. Because when else do you get to walk at a normal pace but feel like you’re flying?! I love it. Plus, I’m going to spend the next few hours crammed into a tiny seat–I might as well exercise while I can.

Someday I would love for an airport to set up a foam pit at the end of a moving walkway. I want to sprint down the walkway and jump as far as I can into the pit. That would be superb.

What do you do when you’re waiting around at airports?

9 thoughts on “What Do You Do While Biding Time at Airports?”

  1. I catch up on my to-read list of novels and on my own creative writing projects. Walking strikes me as a healthy way to deal with long layovers! I also love that flying sensation on moving walkways, but I tend to take the long way, alongside them, unless I’m late. I already sit too much, so I’m probably more in need of the extra exercise than you, Jamey. 😉

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    • Nice! I usually wait for the plane to do those things, but sometimes I get tired of walking and settle down at a table (if I can find one) for reading or writing. 🙂

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  2. There are also tables at the end of those chairs. So if I’m with someone I will play games. I’d no chairs near tables are available then I will typically play Splendor, Ticket to Ride, or Quorridor on my phone with whoever I’m with. If I’m alone I will try to play 1-player Tiny Epic Galaxies or Kingdoms.

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  3. It depends if the trip is for business or pleasure. If it’s a business trip, I usually pop open my laptop and knock out some work. If the trip is for pleasure, I’m never alone, so I talk to Laura or watch planes take off with the kids. We love to discuss future trips, so we often break out our list of trips we’re planning for or places we want to go and talk either realistically plan for them or fantasize about them.

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  4. Well I have two young children, so generally my wife and I are savouring the time where they can roam around a bit more freely instead of being “crammed into a tiny seat” as you said!

    Otherwise, Palm Island is perfect for this!

    Reply

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