Despite the hassle of security clearances and waiting at airports, I usually enjoy my time in the air. I find it relaxing and productive. No cell phone or pages to deal with. No bureaucratic meetings. I stay off wifi (as I’m too cheap to pay for it), so don’t have the distraction of the email or the internet. So I have some free time on my hands when flying, a rarity for me.
That said, I don’t have trouble filling those hours. Depending on the length of the flight, the type of aircraft and how tired I am, I might watch a move if an interesting one is on the in flight menu. Or I might read a book, or listen to an audiobook. Or combine an audiobook with organizing and labeling my thousands of photos on my laptop. If it’s a long overseas flight, I’ll definitely try to get some sleep.
I recently came across a story at this link about a woman who wrote a novel while flying. Talk about an impressive use of time! Among her tips for being productive in the air are: 1) don’t use the wifi, 2) pick an uncomfortable seat (so you don’t nap), 3) drink lots of coffee, 4) people watch for inspiration…. and a few other tips.
How do you fill up your flying time?
I am an obsessive looker out of the window! Seeing other planes is a comfort, hey we’re not alone up here, watching for the first, faint glimmer of dawn on a night flight, being amazed at how big- and empty- some parts of the world are. By the time I have figured it all out it is ‘trays up, lights on and let’s et ready to land time!
Great ideas and i especially like the audiobook idea! For me it depends whether I’m going on the trip or returning home. Going, I tend to organize my notes and read about some of the sights I’m planning on visiting. That used to be in guidebooks but now it’s a combination of guidebooks and material I’ve printed off. Coming home, I try to relax and unwind. Maybe watch a movie or read a fiction book.
My next trip I want to use that time to learn some French.
I read and listen to the podcast that I am always way behind on. I am also a window person, especially during takeoff and landing. On longer flights I will try to find a movie I like.
I’ve never been able to do anything useful on planes. I can’t even seem to concentrate enough to read, except maybe a magazine. If it’s nighttime, I put on the headphones with some classical music, get out my own little pillow, put on my silk eye mask and sleep as much as I can. If the timing isn’t conducive to sleeping, I’ll just watch movies. But I don’t mind any of it and, while it seems to be a general rule these days to abhor airports & flying, I never have. I’m going somewhere!