Sleeping in an Airport on a Budget
Oct 27, 2012, 2:20 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
Backpack for pillow makes for a big pillow!
I always snap my backpack onto something when I'm sleeping. 95% of crime is a crime of opportunity, so if they give it a quick tug and it doesn't budge, it's pretty unlikely to get stolen. There's places in South America where I've had policia (english "police") come tell me to watch my bag, so I wouldn't trust that there, they've got knives for snipping stuff (the paranoid either weave guitar string thru all their straps or buy a PacSafe).
Another good technique is to put a bell on your backpack. Thieves like quiet. I used to have a stainless-steel cup on my bag. It klanged all over the place on buses and the like. Sadly, I was using it for a week as the cup for my rum and coke, and someone broke into my room that week and nabbed my camera. Karma.
I always snap my backpack onto something when I'm sleeping. 95% of crime is a crime of opportunity, so if they give it a quick tug and it doesn't budge, it's pretty unlikely to get stolen. There's places in South America where I've had policia (english "police") come tell me to watch my bag, so I wouldn't trust that there, they've got knives for snipping stuff (the paranoid either weave guitar string thru all their straps or buy a PacSafe).
Another good technique is to put a bell on your backpack. Thieves like quiet. I used to have a stainless-steel cup on my bag. It klanged all over the place on buses and the like. Sadly, I was using it for a week as the cup for my rum and coke, and someone broke into my room that week and nabbed my camera. Karma.
Oct 29, 2012, 3:08 pm
#32
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Backpack for pillow makes for a big pillow!
I always snap my backpack onto something when I'm sleeping. 95% of crime is a crime of opportunity, so if they give it a quick tug and it doesn't budge, it's pretty unlikely to get stolen. There's places in South America where I've had policia (english "police") come tell me to watch my bag, so I wouldn't trust that there, they've got knives for snipping stuff (the paranoid either weave guitar string thru all their straps or buy a PacSafe).
Another good technique is to put a bell on your backpack. Thieves like quiet. I used to have a stainless-steel cup on my bag. It klanged all over the place on buses and the like. Sadly, I was using it for a week as the cup for my rum and coke, and someone broke into my room that week and nabbed my camera. Karma.
I always snap my backpack onto something when I'm sleeping. 95% of crime is a crime of opportunity, so if they give it a quick tug and it doesn't budge, it's pretty unlikely to get stolen. There's places in South America where I've had policia (english "police") come tell me to watch my bag, so I wouldn't trust that there, they've got knives for snipping stuff (the paranoid either weave guitar string thru all their straps or buy a PacSafe).
Another good technique is to put a bell on your backpack. Thieves like quiet. I used to have a stainless-steel cup on my bag. It klanged all over the place on buses and the like. Sadly, I was using it for a week as the cup for my rum and coke, and someone broke into my room that week and nabbed my camera. Karma.
Oct 29, 2012, 5:15 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
With SuperStorm Sandy disrupting flights, many folks likely are sleeping in airports now.
When I have to overnight in an airport (usually due to weather), I do take precautions to protect my stuff. I put my wallet and money inside my clothing as close to my skin as possible.
I wear a Scott-e-Vest or similar with my electronics in the pockets.
I use my carry on bag as a pillow.
I make friends with people around me to watch stuff when leaving the immediate area to get to the toilet or to fetch food (but I still wear my valuables)
And, I don't sleep much.
When I have to overnight in an airport (usually due to weather), I do take precautions to protect my stuff. I put my wallet and money inside my clothing as close to my skin as possible.
I wear a Scott-e-Vest or similar with my electronics in the pockets.
I use my carry on bag as a pillow.
I make friends with people around me to watch stuff when leaving the immediate area to get to the toilet or to fetch food (but I still wear my valuables)
And, I don't sleep much.
Oct 29, 2012, 6:50 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 300
I plan to sleep in Stockholm Arlanda upon arrival in January, as I am scheduled to arrive around midnight, and I'd rather not pay for a room that I'd only use for under 10 hours (even though the converted 747 hostel is tempting). I haven't decided if I should remain inside Terminal 5, where I think it might be quieter and less busy. Is the 7-11 Express in T5 open 24 hours? Are there luggage lockers in terminal 5 (I believe they are available pre-security)?
Oct 31, 2012, 12:53 am
#35
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MSP, NYC, or WAS
Programs: AA CO DL
Posts: 717
Never had a problem sleeping in terminals...in fact, at EWR they kick you out of the secured area....then you must sleep on the hard floor. The great thing about Newark, is that around 8 or 9 pm...most flights are done, and the homeless and bums in the know come into the terminal and pick the choice spots. !!! that night, no cold floor for me.....I snagged one of the hot air vents built into the sidewalls....slept like a baby. Had a nice chat with the local hobo next to me, sadly another nam vet dealing with PTS.
On a related item....I saw a backpack with a steel cable harness wrapped around it. Guy said he bought it in Mexico...no way do you get into that pack, you lock it to a post and it is there waiting for the key.
With SuperStorm Sandy disrupting flights, many folks likely are sleeping in airports now.
When I have to overnight in an airport (usually due to weather), I do take precautions to protect my stuff. I put my wallet and money inside my clothing as close to my skin as possible.
I wear a Scott-e-Vest or similar with my electronics in the pockets.
I use my carry on bag as a pillow.
I make friends with people around me to watch stuff when leaving the immediate area to get to the toilet or to fetch food (but I still wear my valuables)
And, I don't sleep much.
When I have to overnight in an airport (usually due to weather), I do take precautions to protect my stuff. I put my wallet and money inside my clothing as close to my skin as possible.
I wear a Scott-e-Vest or similar with my electronics in the pockets.
I use my carry on bag as a pillow.
I make friends with people around me to watch stuff when leaving the immediate area to get to the toilet or to fetch food (but I still wear my valuables)
And, I don't sleep much.
Last edited by EmailKid; Oct 31, 2012 at 7:42 am Reason: Back to back posts on the same topic
Nov 1, 2012, 2:35 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
As for thieves liking quiet, they are trying to be sneaky and not get caught. As soon as a bag makes any noise, they're dropping it and running. Noise calls attention to the bad things they're doing!
Nov 1, 2012, 8:02 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
I just slept in Miami Airport. It was freezingly cold. Had to go outside once in a while. It was comfortable, hot outside, but freezingly cold inside. Didn't make any sense. It was not comfortable and wifi is chargeable 
Low cost airport Ft. Lauderdale offers free internet!
Low cost airport Ft. Lauderdale offers free internet!
Nov 7, 2012, 6:49 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 238
It offsets the heat created by having thousands of bodies pass through during the day. In some cases, it's more effective to leave the temperature at a constant than lessen it at night and make it work harder to bring it to acceptable levels come daytime.
Nov 13, 2012, 2:41 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: taiwan
Posts: 17
There was some poll recently about the best airports to sleep in: http://www.sleepinginairports.net/20...t-airports.htm. I've spent the night in Changi Airport (Singapore) before, and it's perfect for a few hours' nap. Plus there's free wi-fi and 24hr restaurants
Dec 10, 2012, 11:35 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 459
THey hassled you eve with FA credentials?
I was a flight attendant in my previous life, and would get drunk and miss late night flights and have to find places to crash.... Like airports. Pre 911 it was easy to find good places to crash, afterwards i got hassled.
It has been 10 years since i had to crash on an airport floor, and am really interested to see how loose security is now days (judging by this post).
I reread the OP... I say bad idea. Not because of anything else but the sleep in an airport sucks, and should only be done out of necessity... Or serious intoxication
It has been 10 years since i had to crash on an airport floor, and am really interested to see how loose security is now days (judging by this post).
I reread the OP... I say bad idea. Not because of anything else but the sleep in an airport sucks, and should only be done out of necessity... Or serious intoxication
Jan 25, 2013, 10:11 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Imo, it's not worth it, if you save up only $50.
You'll spend that in the airport anyway, same dunkin donuts since you'll be bored anyway, I don't know at least for me it's hard to sleep in public places, i would not feel comfortable with that.
So I would rather spend those $50 than sleep in the airport.
You'll spend that in the airport anyway, same dunkin donuts since you'll be bored anyway, I don't know at least for me it's hard to sleep in public places, i would not feel comfortable with that.
So I would rather spend those $50 than sleep in the airport.
Jan 29, 2013, 8:55 am
#43
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI or MEX
Programs: Somewhere in my wallet
Posts: 76
I've slept in airports a few times. The worst was in 1998, when I had to spend 36 hours in Paris de Gaulle as the result of a French rail strike. (Was broke, needed to come from Spain on a rail pass before the strike began.) That's one of the worst airports in the world, and it was a truly miserable experience. Molded plastic chairs make sleep impossible.
Last March, weather caused me to miss a connecting flight at Dulles. Waited on standby forever, finally got into a 6am flight. Dulles wasn't the worst airport I've slept in.
Last March, weather caused me to miss a connecting flight at Dulles. Waited on standby forever, finally got into a 6am flight. Dulles wasn't the worst airport I've slept in.
Apr 27, 2013, 1:53 am
#45
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
Imo, it's not worth it, if you save up only $50.
You'll spend that in the airport anyway, same dunkin donuts since you'll be bored anyway, I don't know at least for me it's hard to sleep in public places, i would not feel comfortable with that.
So I would rather spend those $50 than sleep in the airport.
You'll spend that in the airport anyway, same dunkin donuts since you'll be bored anyway, I don't know at least for me it's hard to sleep in public places, i would not feel comfortable with that.
So I would rather spend those $50 than sleep in the airport.
I am not sure what I think:
One one hand society doesn't mind people sleeping in the airport. Or tolerates.
On the other hand, airports do nothing to help - sleeping areas, etc. Singapore is the one exception I can think of.
A communal sleeping chair area charging $10 and requiring some proof of travel would be a nice thing.