So, a little over a week ago, I unexpectedly spent the night in DFW airport. It was quite the experience, and I will spare you the more horrific details. I did, however, want to share some tips and advice in you also ever find yourself stranded in an airport for 9+ hours.
1. Eat a large meal before takeoff. (this is more of a general travel tip. Since you never know when/where the next bite of food will come, always take advantage of food when available!). If you're at IAD, I recommend the Chipotle Mexican Grill in the B-terminal. Huge burrito for $7. Can't be beat.
(burrito, 1/3 of the way eaten)
2. When you first discover you are stranded, take a minute to panic. Then envision your final destination (and/or the goal of your trip). Remember, the airport is not your final resting place. You can make it through this.
3. Get on the standby list for any airport within 2 hours of your destination. While standing in the line for the standby list, call the airline. Once you reach the airline (which will probably be after you reach the standby desk), get a seat on the earliest confirmed flight. You'll still be on the standby list, but at least now you have a confirmed backup option.
4. If you don't make it on a standby and your flight isn't until the next morning, find a hotel. Now, do NOT leave the security area until you have a confirmed hotel. Pay the $8-$15 for internet, beg a cell phone charger off a stranger (though you should know better than to check any electrical chargers!), and Google-map all the nearby hotels. Call them. Get a room.
(friends at your final destination can offer a great deal of emotional, over-the-phone support during an airport ordeal)
3. Get on the standby list for any airport within 2 hours of your destination. While standing in the line for the standby list, call the airline. Once you reach the airline (which will probably be after you reach the standby desk), get a seat on the earliest confirmed flight. You'll still be on the standby list, but at least now you have a confirmed backup option.
(within 2 hours of your destination, you can probably find a shuttle or taxi to get you there...better, if not cheaper, than spending another day in the airport!)
4. If you don't make it on a standby and your flight isn't until the next morning, find a hotel. Now, do NOT leave the security area until you have a confirmed hotel. Pay the $8-$15 for internet, beg a cell phone charger off a stranger (though you should know better than to check any electrical chargers!), and Google-map all the nearby hotels. Call them. Get a room.
5. If there aren't any hotel rooms available, hopefully your airport is nice enough to put out cots. Claim one. Use it. If there are no cots, but you're still behind security because you are smarter than me, there will likely be carpeted floors. At the very least, claim a spot on there!
(my cot, outside security--hence the very hard tile floor)
(to be continued tomorrow)
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