With so many cut back and changes in airlines industry, it’s safe to say that delay at the airport or for your flight is something we have to plan for. If your flight is on time and you don’t have any delay, consider it’s a blessing.
Our recent flight from Atlanta to San Diego was a blessing. Thanks to some of the travel tips I have gather from more experience travelers. We didn’t encounter any issues at all. Actually, I took it back. We did had an hour delay due to the glitch in the system. It was a blessing that we were able to arrive on time after all that delay.
However, the return trip was a total opposite. We had a connecting flight at Washington DC. After we landed and headed to our gate for our connection flight to Atlanta, we found out that there was a mechanical issue with our plane so we would have to wait 4 hours before the next flight. FOUR … FOUR hours in the airport on Thanksgiving Day nonetheless!!!
So how did we survive 4 hours delay at the airport with 2 kids? Here are travel tips to kill time without killing each other.
1. Explore
Airport is a big place. It’s like a city of its own. Since we just got off from the plane, it’s a great way to stretch out your legs as well. We walked around to check out the shops. But this could only last for so long. The little legs needed some rest. Plus we each had to carry our own carry-on so it was time for the next plan.
2. Stake your claim
Our next move was to find an empty and quiet area that we could sit back and relax. The area near our gate was too busy so we looked around a bit to find totally empty gate. We found our home away from home for the next 3.5 hours. A quick meal at the gate was all we did before the kids moved on to the next activity.
3. Play that game
This was the time to take out all those games and toys that we had been carrying around. We started from the card games which they really enjoyed. Then moved on to their personal Leapster games. Ah.. I couldn’t praise enough of how much I love Leapster® Learning Game System
4. TV online
By the 3rd hour, there were only so many games they could enjoy. So I moved on to our next action plan – TV shows. Ok.. so the cat is out of the bag, my kids watch TV a lot during the weekend. They are Star Wars the Clone War fanatic. Luckily, we were traveling during the FREE Wifi Week. I was able get the internet access and get a few new episodes from Hulu. We didn’t bring any of the movie DVDs with us this trip. So Hulu definitely saved the day for us.
5. Stretch and clean up
Finally, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was time to pack up and get ready for our flight. We did another round of running and walking to stretch out our legs. We brushed teeth, washed our face and changed the kids into their PJs since the flight was now so late that we would arrive at around midnight. They were all ready and hopefully went to sleep on the plane.
I can safely say we survive and it wasn’t as bad as I imagine.
So how about you? Have you had any other experience with long delay during your trip? What other tips you can share?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m lucky that now my kids are teenagers I don’t have to actively entertain them – they just plug in the i-pod or take a nap, just so long as I don’t mind shelling out for snacks and magazines
I bookmarked this one. I have the WORST luck with kids and flying!
I’m always stuck in an airport it seems. Staking out a good place is key, near some outlets if possible. Walking around is a good time killer too, plus will probably wear the little ones out!
@Heather: Soon my kids will probably be able to entertain themselves. This year they got Nintendo DS as Xmas gift. That will be out new travel must-have. :)
@Amber: Hope you won’t have to use it as often with your kids. Maybe your luck will turn around this year. :)
@Anil: Yes, the outlet is definitely a must!!
This is such a reality of traveling. Thanks for the good tips. I noticed you bring your car seats onto the plane instead of checking them. Also, the shot with your son holding his luggage doesn’t include him carrying his car seat. I’m assuming you guys are carrying both then. Any advantage to not checking them?
@Lora: They are now big enough for the booster seats so it’s not as difficult to carry around. We use the strap from the carry on to hook each one to our carry on. One for me and one for my husband. :) On the plane, we stowed it under the seat. The only advantage I can tell is no extra fee and we don’t have to wait for our luggage during checking in.
My kids thought that when they received Nintendo DS’s two Christmases ago, the gifts were for them. In fact, the Nintendos were a gift for ME, and a direct result of much down time with them while stuck in an airport. :)
@Jen: LOL.. Yup, I agree. It’s one of the best electronic toy for them and for US. :)
Luckily I’ve never had to deal with kids at an airport. Sounds very difficult!
Ok, I think any parent who says their kids don’t ever watch tv (even on weekends) either have a lot of time in their hands or are rather well-off enough to have a nanny to distract the kids. TV gives me time to breathe! I know, I know, throw stones at me now!
@Simon: You are lucky! :)
@Jen: Yup.. I am all for using technology to help with my kids. We are in the digital age after all. :)
Good tips. You are luckier than you think though. We were delayed 4 hours in Delhi enroute to Sri Lanka, and we were stuck on the plane. Just sitting on the tarmac. That was insane. I was pretty sick and dozed uncomfortably most of the time while we waited. We didn’t have any drinks, food or information. We just sat there waiting for the fog to lift. Insane…But that is india.
These are all great ideas. It does seem as if flight delays are more the norm now. When we flew from San Diego to Seattle, we sat on the tarmac for almost 3 hours….with a 15 month old :(
@Dave&Deb: I definitely agree that I was lucky. I don’t know if we will survive the stuck on the runway.
@Sandy: Wow!! 3 hours on the tarmac?
I can’t survive more than one hour in any airport, if my flight is going to be delayed more than two hours, I go to the hotel and take the nest flight