As you know I tend to fly a lot – almost every week. For whatever reason, I have had a bad streak and have had very long delays in a number of airports. Unfortunately most of the airports have nothing to do in them like New York’s LaGuardia or in Philadelphia. I have also gotten stuck in a number of smaller airports like Greensboro or Rochester, NY which isn’t a ton of fun.
If you could pick an airport to get stuck in for three hours where would it be:
- Is it Las Vegas so you can play the slot machines?
- Is it in Dallas in Terminal D because it’s brand new and has upscale restaurants?
- Is it in Denver because you like their airline club?
Where is it and why?
I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Nicole Cicogna says:
I tend to get stuck a lot too, especially because I tend to fly in and out of
LaGuardia a lot. I think if the airports invested in things like nail salons, barber shops, spas, etc. they would make a killing. Oh and a laundromat so I can wash my clothes from my trip would be nice too. It seems like I do a lot of sitting in uncomfortable chairs reading a book when I could be getting a mani & and a pedi in the same time span.
Paul Kirch says:
If they have one, I normally migrate to the Admirals Club and hold up there until the flight is ready. If not, I make a few client calls, work or maybe read. Getting stuck or delayed is becoming more and more common for me. I figured living in Dallas would make it easier due to American having their hub here, but I actually have experienced far more problems here than when I lived on the west coast. For one thing there are more weather delays here. Of course my favorite situation is something I experienced this morning (note the sarcastic tone). I was on a American Eagle flight to Tulsa. Due to weather they were only using a couple of runways and limiting the number of flights. After sitting for 1.5 hours they finally announced that we were going to be rerouted 120 miles from our normal course and that we needed more fuel. More fuel meant the small regional jet we were on would be overweight. Therefore the flight was cancelled. I’d take the delay in the aiport over this any day, especially when the plane was a small cramped one.
Christine Farber-Cook says:
Living in Denver and working in Chicago puts me in and out every week so I feel your travel pains. If I had to choose for delay, it would be Dallas (great stores), Chicago – O’Hare (great stores) and Phili for the same reason. For convenience and efficiencies – Midway all the way!
janet savoie says:
To Nicole:
Believe it or not little bitty Nashville has a nail salon and a massage place (just for neck and shoulders, not full body). Y’all come see us.
Lance Hoffman says:
Every day, the tasks that I need to do could be categorized by A, B, and C priorities. “A” are things that absolutely have to get done immediately, and you want to try and keep these to a minimum, as things will always pop up that you didn’t see coming that will have to get done that same day. “B” are things that also have to get done, but may be able to wait a day or two before you need to do them (then they turn into A’s). “C” are things you really want to get done, but they can be done when you have them time, with no immediate deadline.
I find that as Paul said then when delays like this happen, calls come first, as anyone who travels a lot usually has all their contact’s phone numbers on them. However, once this gets done, I find that these delays offer the perfect opportunities to either attend to a pressing “B,” or start to do some work on one of the “C’s.” It’s really a great time to do stuff like this, since when you’re in an airport, you are not subject to the interruptions and interactions that occur in the office, or the other things that require your personal attention when out of the office (such as errands, kids, wife/husband, etc.).
Getting stuck at an airport is simply an inevitability based on the lifestyle we lead. The truth is, I don’t really care all that much, as there is always something that can be done under these circumstances. Even sitting in silence while you are waiting, and catching up on one of my favorite pastimes (simply observing other people), can be a very calming and relaxing experience.
Richard Weiner says:
The Wall Street Journal and other media regularly report on most and least favorite airports, including those with outstanding restaurants and airline clubs. The Hong Kong airport is high on all lists. I agree! American Airlines partners with Cathay Pacific and my wife and I have traveled to China three times. Cathay Pacific, one of the world’s great airlines, has a lounge with showers and other amenities that make a flight delay a pleasure. Well, almost a pleasure.
Andy Dang says:
I wouldn’t care which airline I’m in if I am stuck. When I need to fly, I need to fly. My schedule is usually compressed and stressed so anytime I’m wasting time, I’m too stressed to enjoy anything.
Side Note: Hey Marc, I am the VP of Fullerton’s American Marketing Association. I attended one of your event in UC Irvine when OCAMA hosted it. You are a great speaker, kept everyone paying attention, and gave many great advices on blogs for businesses.
Some parts because of you, I started my blog and it is now 9 days old. Thank you for everything, and I will be back and about soon. Take Care.
Vic Walsh says:
Tampa and Orlando are great airports with lots of opportunities for browsing. Minneapolis is nice because they have someone playing great music live on a grand piano. If you get stuck in Detroit the Northwest Airlines WorldClub lounge is one of the better ones for working and relaxing. By all means, the one airport to avoid for delays is Baltimore. There is absolutely nothing to do there, and once you’re stuck, you’re stuck!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Andy,
Thanks for your nice comments. I am so glad you found the speech interesting and started a blog. I have learned SO much since we started this blog last August.
Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions.
Merrill