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Published: November 7th 2017
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On my recent trip to and from eastern Europe, I had some ridiculously long layovers, part due to my own planning, and part due to total BS. The worst one was at JFK in New York, a five hour layover!!! Plus they lost my bag!
So, how do I cope with this nonsense? If I was a working stiff, I would probably work most of the time. But now that I am retired, I just like to eat lightly, drink, nap, and relax. What is the best way to do that?
• My first choice is the Business Class lounge. When I had gold status with United, it was a no brainer. Or if I fly business, I get complimentary access to the lounge. It really is a great place to camp out, with free internet, free alcohol, free food (of sorts), and a very comfortable chair. Some lounges are better than others. Singapore Airlines lounge is the best. And all foreign airline lounges are better than our domestic lounges. In Hong Kong, we got things like fresh noodles, sushi, and a hot shower!!!
• Shopping is another diversion, but the experience is
totally dependent on the quality of shopping. Domestically, it is hit or miss, with places like Chicago or Phoenix passable. Foreign airports offer a little more exotic shopping, like dried meats in Africa, or Irish Whiskey in Dublin. Duty free is generally a ripoff, as you know.
• Portland Airport has a free feature film, as do Hong Kong, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Incheon in Seoul, and of course, Changi in Singapore.
• San Francisco has yoga and meditation rooms. I prefer not to sweat so much between flights, but please, go ahead!
• LAX has a therapy dog. This is a great idea.
• Many airports have a massage bar or spa. But it does cost money. It is a great stress reliever.
• In Las Vegas, you can gamble, to either try to gain back what you lost, or lose more. My last trip, I won, so I bought Sheri a gift!
• Atlanta and many other airports have chapels where you can pray for a safe trip.
• Nashville has FREE live music. What a treat.
• Miami and many others airports offer manicures, pedicures, haircuts, and lobotomies.
• Forget it all, and get drunk. All airports have booze.
• Skip the diet, and eat some of the poisonous
fast food that most airports have. I never do!
• At Dulles, head over to the branch of the Smithsonian Air and Space, and enjoy the sights.
• In Frankfurt, have a frankfurter. In London, have a banger.
• In Tokyo, try some great Japanese cookies, unique to us in America.
• Go back to the bar, order another drink, and watch a meaningless college or pro sports team.
• In Chicago, buy some Garrett's Popcorn and gorge yourself in yellow kernel goodness.
• Hop on the inter terminal tram and ride until you are dizzy.
• Go to the smoking area, and bum a Cuban cigar from a fat cat.
• Steal* a book from the airport convenience store and read until your plane is called.
• Use the free airport wifi. If not, sneak into the lounge and use theirs.
• Skip the Starbucks, coffee is free on most flights.
• Buy some cheese at Beecher's Cheese in Seattle.
• Play video games at the arcade, if you can stand all the young kids hollering and laughing.
• Taste all the free booze at the Duty Free Shops.
• Sneak into the airline crew lounge for freebies. Honolulu is the best one!
• Add your own!
*=by steal, I
mean purchase it and return it within 30 days for a full refund.
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