What do you do to pass the time on the plane?

[ncbyrne]

The past few flights have been on Song with those fabulous personal tvs! However, for our upcoming trip the only nonstop direct flight I could get was on Continental. Other than a book or magazine, what else keeps you occupied on your flight. The DGDs will have game boys, but those screens are just so small that I can't see to play it!

 

[ducklite]

I sleep, read, on longer flights I fly first class and imbibe a bit

My son likes to bring his sketch pad and draw, he says the clouds are inspiration.

DH plays solitaire on the computer, does a little work, and naps.

Anne

 

[Trish5768]

I will do crossword puzzles. The kids will color, play quiet games etc.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I take my headsets and listen to various radio stations along the way. I can get a really good idea of what state/area we're flying over by what radio station I get in! It's kinda fun and keeps me busy. If I get one in for awhile then I will do cross-word puzzles or flip through a magazine I haven't read yet. Of course it's fun watching my kids or helping them with their activity books!

 

[pumpkinboy]

We try to get window seats that actually have windows, and then hope for clear skies. We bring the Atlas with us, and use the time as a Geography lesson, talking about landforms and what natural fonces might have had an impact. Well, DD is only just turning 5, so it's more Daddy showing her stuff, but she did correctly identify Chesapeake Bay, and the Delmarva peninsula on out last trip home (I was so proud! But then, coastlines are easier). Just the undergrad Geography major in me coming out again.

When it gets cloudy or we are over the ocean, we play cards, or watch the TVs (on Song or JetBlue) or do a bit of coloring.

 

[Beast fan]

Because I work nights (until 3:30am), I try to schedule any flights to coincide with my normal sleep pattern. I typically like flights out of either DTW or FNT no later than 7am. Even if I have to change planes, just those few short naps on the plane tide me over until the next night. I also like early a.m. flights because the DS's can still sleep on the flight.

Dave

 

[Nickiekay]

I buy a new travel guide to somewhere I'd like to go. Enjoy reading it. When my next vacation rolls around, Its back to WDW!

 

[Michael623]

You do realize that radios are against FAA regulations right????

 

[Brian Noble]

...for reasons I've never understood. Consumer am/fm radios are completely passive devices from the spectrum emissions point of view---well, at least as passive as a portable CD player, laptop, what-have-you, as there is some electrical noise. But, rules are rules.

About the only uninterrupted time I get to read a good book is on an airplane, so that's what I usually do. Alternatively, on shorter flights I enjoy the luxury of a cover-to-cover perusal of the NY Times. The kids watch a movie on my laptop.

 

[Lewisc]

I use the time to read a book. There is a company that will rent you a DVD player, headphones and movies. They have pickup and dropoff locations in some airports. I've never used them but something to consider.

http://www.inmotionpictures.com/

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Originally posted by Michael623
You do realize that radios are against FAA regulations right????

Uh, NO! I had no idea or I would not have listened to it. Is there somewhere I can read up on this more? I guess this is just a US thing? Wow, I feel bad but thankfully no harm done. Good thing to know for my next flight!

 

[Brian Noble]

The preflight announcements (to which no one ever listens) will mention that radios, cell phones, etc. can never be used, and other portable electronics cannot be used until reaching a "safe altitude" (IIRC 10K ft).

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Sorry double post!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm guilty then. I took it to understand that I could use the radio part of my cd player once we reached cruising altitude. I'm usually trying to get two kids settled in their seats, strapped in and answering their questions out of pure excitement.
Now I know. Thanks!

 

[LucyStorm]

I do wordsearch puzzles, crossword puzzles, read, look at all the cool stuff in the inflight catalog, and crochet (now that my crochet hook is allowed on flights again). Sometimes if I am seated next to a friendly seatmate, I talk to them.

Mine is usually only a 2 hour flight, and take off and landing, I'm usually praying.....

 

[AllyBri]

We play Travel Scrabble if we are not flying Song.

 

[LeftCoaster]

I sleep and read on my flights. Sometimes, I'll burn someCD's to listen to. I have a great neck pillow so I can definately get some good rest.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Usually sleep and read The flight from Toronto to MCO is only about 2 hrs 45 mins so it's not too bad.

 

[caverill]

We normally will take DVD's with us and watch a movie during the flight (after they annouce it is OK). I have been using my laptop to do this, but recently purchased a small portable DVD for our next trip.

Some airports have a koisk that rents DVD player and movies. I think it was around $20 each way. You pick up the DVD player at your starting airport and drop it off at MCO after you land. It is not available at every airport, but I think they are at the major airports.

Very highly recommended for passing the time during a flight.

 

[inkkognito]

My husband and I fly so often that we've learned to bring everything under the sun to keep us amused (a six hour diversion taught us well!). I bring my laptop with work (which also plays CDs and DVDs). Both my husband and I bring CD players and also a portable DVD player that we got for a really reasonable price at Wal-Mart. We bring lots of books and several hand-held games. And on take-off and landing, we love to look out the window and play "Figure out where we are." I am a nervous flyer, and keeping busy helps a lot.
On United, I used to love listening to the control tower channel on the headphones, but now we always fly ATA, and they don't have that.
Barb