Sleeping in an Airport

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful holiday this 2012 season, and is ready to welcome in a new year. Over the holiday's, I had several family members and friends travel in from out of state. Some drove and some flew in from various places. We didn't have the weather we usually have, that is until right after the holiday when everyone was departing back to the respective places. I dropped one of my close friends off at the airport, fully expecting they wouldn't make it out, due to the weather we had that day. Unusually, they were on one of four flights that made it out that day. Never crossed my mind that they would get stuck overnight at their connecting flight stop due to mechanical malfunctions.

This brings me to what this post is about, sleeping in an airport. People sleep in airports for various reasons. Some are voluntary, some are not. But either way, an airport is not a five start hotel. No, far from it. But if you will be staying in one, or are in the situation where you have no choice or don't want to cough up $100 plus dollars for a hotel, there are several things you can do to be prepared for that dreadfully long stay at an airport.

Be prepared. If you know beforehand the weather is going to be bad, expect there to be delays or cancellations.

Wear extra clothing. Airplanes themselves can be quite chilly and airports are no exception. Not only will wearing extra clothing help keep you warm, but that sweatshirt you have on can also double as a pillow for you to sleep on.

Soft ear plugs. This should be obvious.

Sunglasses. Believe it or not, some airports do not allow you to lay down or close your eyes. Sunglasses can be a clever way of disguising that, as well as providing the illusion of darkness to better help you sleep.

Have a way to wake up. Whether that be an alarm on a cell phone, or an alarm on a watch, make sure you have a way to wake up.

A breakfast bar/snack/food of some kind. Not everything in the airport is open all the time, and vending machines can be hard to come by. So if your sticking it out overnight at the airport, and you had counted on having that 16oz. prime rib for dinner but now are trying to make it on an empty stomach, that power bar or granola bar will come in handy. You can always buy a small snack too once you arrive, or if you realize that you may not take off, just in case.

A small blanket/pillow. These are not a necessity, if you dress with extra clothing much of that can be doubled as a blanket or pillow, but these never hurt. Also, don't be hesitant to ask the attendants at the counter for a pillow and blanket that the airline should provide. Just be polite and ask. Also, don't forget to return the items when you awake.

An electronic device for watching movies or listening to music. This goes without saying that you may indeed be in the airport for a long period of time, with no stores open to browse, television to watch, or things to do in general.

Look around at your surroundings. Security in airports post 9-11 has certainly become an issue of social mainstream. You should not feel as paranoid about your belongings, as everyone in the airport has had to pass through security and has a reason to be there. However, your personal items, such as passports, money, etc., should be kept somewhere that if you are to sleep, someone would have to wake you in order to get to them. Also, being aware of your surroundings includes knowing where your terminal is for the next flight. If you do not want to sleep sitting up, you may have to venture to find chairs that will allow you to lay down, and they may not be at your gate.

While some of you may be staying at the airport intentionally (afraid of missing the early morning flight, etc.), there are those that are going to be forced to stay. Remember as well, airport officials take the stance that an airport is "not a hotel." If it's bad enough, airlines will often try to offer discounted rates at local hotels for you to stay at. Some might even compensate you for the hotel. Others will offer nothing. Whatever your situation is, staying at an airport does not have to be an all-nighter. With a little forward thinking and preparedness, staying at an airport can save you money and not be a bank buster or stressful event.