My 13 hour flight just got delayed 7 hours, I’m stuck at my second airport, and I dont think I’m gonna make it. I have some movies and audio books on my phone, but really only anticipated having to burn the flight time via napping and some media, not 7 hours leading up to it, and I’m pretty sure I’m gonna mentally burn out on passive media.

  • I have media on my phone - movies, shows and audio books, but I can only do about 2-3 hours at a stretch before I burn out on those things.
  • I have wifi and power both on the ground and on the plane, although I’m sure the connection once we get going isn’t going to be performance enough for online games.
  • I have a phone and headset but didn’t bring a laptop because it was just extra bulk I didn’t think I’d need. I don’t have a switch or steam deck or anything neat.
  • I have access to the airport lounge, so drinks are free, and I get free drinks on the plane. I don’t want to get wasted or have to pee constantly, so my plan is to jim lahey it.
  • I’m intrigued by mobile games, but every one I’ve tried has felt too gimmicky with gambling or freemium BS mechanics. Also tried started valley but it never got me hooked either. I have an android and will buy games if they’re worth it.
  • I’m open to any other ideas that could somehow mentally (or physically while on the ground) stimulate me.
  • I’m a dude in my 30s with a family and kids, but I’m currently traveling solo.
  • I’ve already killed 2 hours on a plane and 2 more on the ground (my planned connection time) doing nothing, I was saving my media trying to avoid burning out on shit before I get on the plane.
  • I suck at sleeping when on the go.
  • I’m on my 3rd mimosa and bored as fuck.

Help.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    32 years ago

    No advice, but I sympathize. I once sat listening to music while waiting for my flight to board. When there was no activity and fewer passengers in the area than I expected, I discovered that while I had been waiting they changed the gate for my flight. I ended up waiting in Chicago Midway (this was before their big upgrades in the early 00s) for 12 hours. It was hell.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    62 years ago

    Buy a pack of sticky notes and a pen and let your imagination go. Write weird facts and trivia, or just whatever you want and stick 'em in places where people are gonna look, like on maps, mirrors, napkin holders at the bar…
    Then just wait and watch

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    62 years ago

    Duolingo. Then start texting your family in the new language that you learned that you forgot how to speak normally because of the delay time warp.

  • arefx
    link
    fedilink
    142 years ago

    Talk to people? Does the airplane have a bar? Even if you don’t drink there’s probably people there willing to have some conversations.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    52 years ago

    It may sound stupid, but try learning some card tricks or play solitaire with some playing cards?

    • @[email protected]OP
      link
      fedilink
      22 years ago

      Yeah not a bad idea, I’ll give it a go. Not normally a sodoku guy but that’s normally because I never have free time to burn, seems like something up my ally.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      92 years ago

      CrackingTheCryptic (Studio Goya on the Play Store) has some unbelievably good variant sudoku puzzle apps. No other sudoku app can touch them IMO. Be aware they are kinda battery hungry though due to poor optimization.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    92 years ago

    If you could get a rubix cube or something at the airport, (which seems plausible) could be a lot of time spent on learning how to do it if you download instructions beforehand.

    • Ertebolle
      link
      fedilink
      82 years ago

      This - a lot of people don’t know this, but the beginner method for solving Rubik’s cubes is pretty straightforward algorithm that anyone can memorize; competitive speed cubers use a much more complicated one, but even with the beginner method, with enough practice you can get your times down to under a minute.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    72 years ago

    If you can get an emulator on your phone you can play old games. Nealy endless hours of fun to be had. I recommend lemuroid and Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    32 years ago

    I know you mentioned audiobooks but what about some digital books? Personally, reading makes my eyes tired so I know that, for me, reading something would be a good way to provoke a nap.

    As a response to the idea that you may get fatigued by passive media, a book may be a good balance to that. With movies, shows, and audiobooks, you’re going to be listening the whole time. It’s just constant noise. A book may be more meditative.

    Which reminds me, this may be a good time to practice meditation.