Updated 8/30/2015.
Headed to the airport and scheduled to arrive two hours before our flight, we got stuck in traffic. A serious accident on a bridge completely shut down the highway. Unfamiliar with the roadways, traveling in an area we didn’t know well, we waited. And waited. We finally arrived at the airport, before our scheduled flight departed but too late to clear security.
The airline staff transferred us to the next flight, thankfully not full. Then that flight was cancelled because of mechanical issues. They moved us to the next flight which was also cancelled. On the last scheduled flight of the day, we finally boarded our plane and headed home. Have you seen the movie, The Terminal? That’s how I felt that day.
I didn’t handle the first few hours of the flight delay well. The diaper bag was packed for a flight home, not for an 18-hour day in the airport. What, really, is there to do at an airport with a preschooler and a toddler ALL DAY? I had a choice: figure it out or complain miserably. Complaining didn’t work, so we figured it out.
Today, I’m experiencing much the same thing. I’m ready to share my “big news,” but there’s a delay beyond my control. I can’t change it or fix it. While I’m frustrated, that flight delay taught me there’s no point in complaining.
Friends, I apologize for the delay. As soon as I can, I’ll make the big announcement… but for now, please wait patiently with me. Thanks!
In the meantime, here are some tips for surviving flight delays:
- Have a positive attitude. Ticket agents, food vendors and gate attendants did NOT cause your delay. They do NOT have the power to change flights, equipment or schedules. Be kind. They’ll appreciate it. We got a bag of cookies from Starbucks because the barista had been watching us find creative ways to entertain our kids. She said we made her smile, and she wanted to do the same for us.
- Find creative outlets. If you have multiple delays, ticket counter agents tend to be sympathetic, as they should. When we got our second round of tickets (third flight), I asked the clerk for paper and pens to entertain the kids. She did better and found coloring books and crayons for my boys.
- Rent a locker. Spending hours at the airport with kids and bags gets stressful. Keep the essentials with you, but rent a locker to hold carry-ons not needed in the airport. Less to lug means less to lose. Update 8/30/2015: Lockers are no longer available at most airports. If you’ll have a long layover, ask the airport hotel concierge (when available) if they’ll hold your bags. Just be sure to tip!
- Ask for food vouchers. Airlines are stingier than they used to be, but they don’t want to lose customers. If the clerk does not offer food vouchers when issuing new tickets, ask for them. I discovered that I got a “yes” when I waited until the counter was quiet.
- Claim an out of the way corner. An area with less cross traffic allows kids more freedom to play. Rearrange the furniture to create a “room” with set parameters and allow the kids freedom to play in that space. A semi-private area gives them secure freedom away from other travelers. We asked a gate attendant for travel blankets and used them to make a “tent” for our boys. They played quietly under their tent and even took their naps there.
Ruthie Turner says
January 4, 2014 at 8:41 pmI can’t imagine what you went through traveling with kids. I know that when I travel and there is a delay or something out of my control I feel fire coming out of my head. So kudos to you for having lots of patience. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Best,
Ruthie
Karen Dawkins says
January 4, 2014 at 9:02 pmRuthie,
The more I travel the easier it gets! I didn’t used to stay so calm… and my family might say I still have a ways to go. 😉
The best thing to remember with any travel disruption is you can’t change it, so just make the best of it!
Happy new year!
Nan ~ Playful Decor says
September 19, 2012 at 8:34 pmGreat tips Karen! With all our travels, I can’t believe we hadn’t experienced endless delays. Love the locker idea! One more, if possible try to get outside and walk on the sidewalks. Fresh air (minus the plane exhaust fumes!) does wonders. Congrats on the new blog!
Karen says
September 19, 2012 at 8:42 pmWhat a great idea, Nan. We got delayed in Hawaii, and the airport had an interior courtyard open to the sky. LOVED waiting there!
Karen Dawkins says
September 11, 2012 at 8:01 pmThanks, Carla… still stuck. Glitches beyond my control… learning that I need to RELAX too!
Carla Karam says
September 11, 2012 at 6:07 pmKaren… so excited for you!!! Can't wait to see… Grace, peace and blessings… Carla
Gina says
September 10, 2012 at 9:39 pmLuckily the time I had the biggest delay, I did not have my little boy with me. We were stuck in the airport for not a few hours, almost an entire day. When we have been delayed with my little boy, luckily I had planned ahead and had plenty of things to entertain him with. Good luck to all the travelers!
Columba Lisa Smith says
September 10, 2012 at 9:23 pmThese are wonderful ideas! I especially love the blanket tent one – so great! I doubt I would have thought of that. I was touched by the barista's kindness, too. Neat to hear stories like that.
Karen says
September 21, 2012 at 6:33 pmThat barista turned our bad day into a good one… Until her, I was — ahem — a bit grumpier than I should have been!
rhonda says
September 10, 2012 at 6:23 pmThanks! You always share great advice here. I especially love the first words of advice: keep a positive attitude. This will set the tone for mishaps; this advice can be applied in many ways to many situations. Thanks, again!
Barb W. says
September 10, 2012 at 5:58 pmThis is really super helpful advice! I've certainly been on the “delayed” end a bunch of times. Never thought to rent a locker, that's something I'll have to keep in mind, for sure.
Karen says
September 21, 2012 at 6:30 pmI’m a cheapskate by nature, but that day, I am thankful I wasn’t. We learned a lot about the Jacksonville, Florida airport!
Karen Dawkins says
September 10, 2012 at 7:14 pmRosey,
THANKS for that comment! Glad it helped.
Karen
mail4rosey says
September 10, 2012 at 6:45 pmA locker! (That sound is me thunking myself on the head). I'm not even going to ask myself why I never thought of that before, but it doesn't matter because now.I.know. 🙂 That was an A+ traveling tip.
Karen says
September 21, 2012 at 6:32 pmWhy thank you!
Kenya G. Johnson says
September 10, 2012 at 6:33 pmI made a SUPER big mistake once sitting in the wrong terminal at the airport and missed my flight. I was there for six hours until the next flight available with my then 4 year old son. He did really good. We ate lunch, and had ice cream. I bought him an airplane out of the gift shop. I wasn't prepared for that AT ALL but at least it went well. I wish I had thought of renting a locker because we had carry ons and we kept changing locations to look at the planes outside.
Karen says
September 21, 2012 at 6:32 pmKenya,
After a disasterous trip to Hawaii, we saw sun for the first time at the airport on our way home. When they announced our flight, I was standing in the small square of sun in a courtyard. I kept telling my husband, just a couple more minutes… I hadn’t seen the sun in a week. He finally insisted that we go — and we made it, just in time for the last boarding call…. **Insert sheepish grin**
Karen Dawkins says
September 10, 2012 at 6:28 pmThanks for your kind words, Rhonda. I needed lots of polishing to get to positive! 🙂
Family Travels on a Budget says
September 10, 2012 at 6:19 pmI only “bucked up” for the locker that one time, but it helped tremendously. So much easier than trying to keep track of all the bags and the kids!