What to do when you're trapped at the airport

[kuhio98]

When your flight is delayed, how do you pass the hours?

My flight was supposed to leave at 2:20 p.m. Thursday for Prudhoe Bay. Mt. Redoubt decided to blow its top -- several times -- so flights were canceled. Luckily, I live here, so I could go home and sleep in my own bed last night. I feel so badly for people who were stranded.

So, I'm back at the airport. Redoubt erupted again last night. Flights are delayed again. Huge snowflakes are coming down. So, when the volcanic ash clears, we'll probably have a weather delay. Not looking good at all.

I'm reading "Kabul Beauty School" and it's helping me pass the time. Don't have a DVD player or I could rent a movie. A couple of Native toddlers, hopped up on junk food are using my legs as hurdles. The flight to their village has been delayed for 2 days). They're doing pretty good so far, but I know a fall is coming soon. (Followed by much crying and screaming).

Larry (a co-worker) is trying to teach me sign-language. 'Course he's been trying to teach me "Baby's First Signs" for about a year now............ I've got the alphabet down and some basic signs, but I still can't compose a sentence.


Anyway ~ Please share your suggestions for ways to pass time at the airport.

[caseysmom]

I would probably do like you are and read. The most I have been delayed was 6 hours but the airlines gave us a ton of food vouchers so we went and ate.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I spend ALOT of time in airports. I am armed with reading material - newspapers, books and magazines. And a laptop. And a cell phone.

And I find a nice quiet space....

The only caution is....don't go to a place so quiet you don't hear the announcements! (From personal - not so good experience! )

[kuhio98]

I spend ALOT of time in airports. I am armed with reading material - newspapers, books and magazines. And a laptop. And a cell phone.

And I find a nice quiet space....

The only caution is....don't go to a place so quiet you don't hear the announcements! (From personal - not so good experience! )

Good advice.

Well, they just announced that all flights are canceled for the rest of the day, so I'm heading home to pet some kitties. They'll be surprised to see me so soon. Then, we'll head back to the airport tomorrow (hopefully, 3rd time will be the charm) to try again...........

[finn's mom]

I read, walk around, talk to people, etc.

[smokey the elder]

I usually go "armed" with books, crossword puzzles and now I have a Crackberry!

[kuhio98]

Well, I finally made it to Prudhoe Bay at about 5:00 p.m. (Alaska Time) yesterday. The volcano blew again at about the same time as our flight left Anchorage but it didn't cause a problem for us. Unfortunately, inbound planes were turned away.

The plane my alternate (we share jobs) was on, was turned around and landed in Fairbanks. They spend the night there in a hotel. Since the volcano is still going off, they have hired busses to get them home.

Sure hope it subsides before I'm scheduled to fly home (April 9th).

[ramanth]

I read. Glad you finally caught your flight!

My parents have an Alaskan Cruise scheduled for late May, but they fear it'll be cancelled due to the eruptions.