What do you do on an airplane to keep busy?
#46
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Gold (Current Platinum), United Mileage Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 850
During takeoff and landing, I will pull a Santonio Holmes while either reading a newspaper, reading lightweight Sci-Fi anthologies that I got from father-in-law, or working the USA Today puzzles page, which I stockpile for that express purpose.
Once the "you may use approved devices" ping is sounded, I fire up my portable DVD player. I have a huge collection of DVD's, comprised of movies, TV series, and classic sports (both pre-recorded and home made). If there is OnDemand seatback IFE, then I will watch that.
The portable DVD player is also used in my hotel room at my destination.
Once the "you may use approved devices" ping is sounded, I fire up my portable DVD player. I have a huge collection of DVD's, comprised of movies, TV series, and classic sports (both pre-recorded and home made). If there is OnDemand seatback IFE, then I will watch that.
The portable DVD player is also used in my hotel room at my destination.
#47
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, CO, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 597
If you go the netbook route, be sure to get a boostaroo. Most notebooks don't have a volume level that's high enough to comfortably watch a movie, particularly if you're seated near the jets.
http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detai...FRRUgwodW1cI-w
http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detai...FRRUgwodW1cI-w
Oh man, this boostaroo thing looks terrible. Its like turning you iPod up loud enough to drown out the lawnmower. This thing has to damage your ears. Better to buy some noise canceling headphone than crank up the volume. You've only got one set of ears and once they're damaged, they're gone for good.
#48
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: VIE
Programs: QR Privilege Club (Gold), Aegean M+B (Gold), Hilton Honors Gold, Mariott Bonvoy Gold Elite
Posts: 73
-Reading the newspaper / magazines
- trying to extend the flexibility of my body in a cramped Y+ window seat (LH 744 flyers would get what I mean)...
- IFE/AVOD
- talking to other pax
- dinner / breakfast / lunch
Seriously, it's kinda hard to explain - my HKG-FRA on the 744 was a 11hr ride - no red eye - you can't really do anything enjoyable during such a flight - time just flies by -
- trying to extend the flexibility of my body in a cramped Y+ window seat (LH 744 flyers would get what I mean)...
- IFE/AVOD
- talking to other pax
- dinner / breakfast / lunch
Seriously, it's kinda hard to explain - my HKG-FRA on the 744 was a 11hr ride - no red eye - you can't really do anything enjoyable during such a flight - time just flies by -
#49
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 36
Channel 9 on UA for take off and landing.
After that I typically like to bring with me DVDs from various TV series' that I haven't seen and watch them on my laptop. I rarely have power in the plane (almost always fly economy plus on UA) so I have two pretty large batteries that give 4-4.5 hours each on my laptop though I've been thinking of picking up either a third battery or one of those larger boosters I've seen.
And if all that fails, I browse the skymall catalogue atleast twelve times, then work on memorizing the united flight paths and terminals from the back of their magazine and when i'm bored with that I just mindlessly stare at the back of the seat infront of me.
After that I typically like to bring with me DVDs from various TV series' that I haven't seen and watch them on my laptop. I rarely have power in the plane (almost always fly economy plus on UA) so I have two pretty large batteries that give 4-4.5 hours each on my laptop though I've been thinking of picking up either a third battery or one of those larger boosters I've seen.
And if all that fails, I browse the skymall catalogue atleast twelve times, then work on memorizing the united flight paths and terminals from the back of their magazine and when i'm bored with that I just mindlessly stare at the back of the seat infront of me.
#50
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,084
I usually catch up on magazines and then I work. The airplane is the most effective office I've ever had. Three uninterrupted hours ORD-SFO/LAX I can get more done than I do several days at my desk. Six hours ORD-LHR/FRA is like a week of stuff done by volume.
#51
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
If the plane has a powerport I'll use my laptop to play Free Cell, look at old photos, write or watch Netflix movies.
If it doesn't, I'll read. I love The New York Times on long flights because I get into it, read every article and have three hours of entertainment. I also like books and crossword puzzles.
When there's IFE, I rarely use it. Sometimes for the music, however.
If it doesn't, I'll read. I love The New York Times on long flights because I get into it, read every article and have three hours of entertainment. I also like books and crossword puzzles.
When there's IFE, I rarely use it. Sometimes for the music, however.
#52
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA PLT/2MM, UA, Marriott PLT, Starwood
Posts: 221
This has been a fun read. My choices are similar - they have been honed after a ramped-up year obtaining top status for the first time, with some MRs, and figuring out what makes the time pass best:
--L.A. Times crossword puzzles, stockpiled for flying, with an occasional NYT puzzle.
--DVD movies on my laptop - this is the best time filler for me; also watching Friends episodes too. Had to buy a Mac airplane power connector, after the battery would go out in a few hours - didn't realize!.....now I look for seats with a plug if not in FC, on Seatguru etc. Learning, learning all the time, on FT.
---eating light meal if served; drinking water
I don't seem to enjoy reading as much though I am an avid reader. Also, wish I could sleep but it only ends up in fitful short naps.
--L.A. Times crossword puzzles, stockpiled for flying, with an occasional NYT puzzle.
--DVD movies on my laptop - this is the best time filler for me; also watching Friends episodes too. Had to buy a Mac airplane power connector, after the battery would go out in a few hours - didn't realize!.....now I look for seats with a plug if not in FC, on Seatguru etc. Learning, learning all the time, on FT.
---eating light meal if served; drinking water
I don't seem to enjoy reading as much though I am an avid reader. Also, wish I could sleep but it only ends up in fitful short naps.
#55
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CAE,AGS
Programs: AAExP, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, IHG Spire, Marriott Plat
Posts: 3,124
Typically on TATL's I either watch IFE or sleep - depends on the amount of wine
#56
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: EB*G, BT VIP
Posts: 770
You are not the only one, but this is pretty rare. Most FF tend to seat in the isle, and even those who prefer window seat, rarely looking there more than just a couple of minutes on taxi.
#57
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
Programs: Lots of them, no status
Posts: 1,318
Before I had kids, flight time was always reading time for me.
Believe it or not, although my previous job often took me on VERY LONG trips (such as TLV-SEA), I have never been one to sleep much on planes, although I got better at it after I hit a certain level of exhaustion. LOL
A strange thing was that I had a very difficult time getting into a new book when traveling. I always had to read about 20 pages and get myself hooked on the book before leaving on the trip to make it possible for me to lose myself in the book in-flight and, therefore, pass the time quickly
Believe it or not, although my previous job often took me on VERY LONG trips (such as TLV-SEA), I have never been one to sleep much on planes, although I got better at it after I hit a certain level of exhaustion. LOL
A strange thing was that I had a very difficult time getting into a new book when traveling. I always had to read about 20 pages and get myself hooked on the book before leaving on the trip to make it possible for me to lose myself in the book in-flight and, therefore, pass the time quickly
#58
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: DL
Posts: 76
I never get the free time to read to my heart's content unless I'm on an airplane. I usually bring 2-3 books on a trip and get through all of them by the end of my flying, and that gets me through till the next trip. Also, my laptop!