Snoozing At The Airport Terminal, In A Tent.

[Teacher Mark 53]

By Sharon Mcdonnell

Published: July 15, 2008

Sleeping at an airport overnight, once almost a sport for the young and short of cash, has become a lot more common lately, affecting even older and professional travelers. And a big reason is that airlines are no longer as free with complimentary hotel vouchers as they once were.

"Belt tightening by airlines over the last 18 months, and more so this year," is how Randy Petersen, editor of the online magazine InsideFlyer and the frequent-flier Web site FlyerTalk.com, explains it.

"They have to look at everything they spend a penny on," Petersen said. And because flights are fuller, he added, "they're not just dealing with a few passengers."

Bob Harrell, founder of Harrell Associates, an airline consultant, agreed. "If they're charging for extra bags, food and water, then the flip side is the airlines are going to go out of their way to minimize expenses on one side, while maximizing on the other," he said.

Sleeping overnight in airport has become enough of a phenomenon that it has inspired one recent novel, "Dear American Airlines." The author, Jonathan Miles, said he was spurred to write the book after an unscheduled overnight stay at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.

An unscheduled overnight stay at a German airport inspired one business traveler, Frank Giotto, the president of Fiber Instrument Sales in Oriskany, New York, to create the Mini Motel, a one-person tent complete with air mattress, pillow, reading light, alarm clock and pillow (which he now sells for $39.95).

Asked what airports would think of a tent city of his Mini Motels, Giotto expressed confidence.

"People sleeping in chairs don't seem to bother them," he said. "We could be forcing the airports to come up with a solution to respond to the tremendous need."

And there is even a Web site, the Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports (www.sleepinginairports.com), which lists the best and worst airports to spend the night in.

For those who do get stuck, advice from seasoned travelers boils down to this: Bring or buy a snack and water before airport shops close, bring reading material or music and something soft to lie down on or rest your head against and keep hotel phone numbers or certain Web site addresses handy.

Ron Flavin, a business traveler, recalled a flight after meeting with a client in Detroit. He said he landed at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta about 1:45 a.m. for a layover, after his flight was diverted by thunderstorms.

He was rebooked on a morning flight home to West Palm Beach, but Delta Air Lines offered no hotel or meal vouchers, he said. So he curled up under a phone booth behind a counter, and slept on the floor with a pillow and blanket from his business-class seat, in the company of many other passengers.

"It wasn't worth investing the money, time and effort to make all the phone calls and get settled in a hotel," said Flavin, a partner in a marketing firm for beauty and health products. "I'm not a greedy guy, but there was no gesture of any kind or a sympathetic ear. I didn't even have a toothbrush or toothpaste."

Even though they were never required to, airlines used to give stranded passengers vouchers for rooms and meals if a flight was canceled or delayed as a result of mechanical problem or some other issue of an airline's own making, but not for weather-related delays. Now, though, vouchers are a thing of the past.

Joe Brancatelli, editor of JoeSentMe.com, a business travel Web site, disputes the idea that sleeping in the airport ever trumps a good cheap hotel, and says that arguing with airline employees for hotel vouchers is a waste of time and energy. "Take some responsibility, and don't wait for the airline to do for you," he said. "Do for yourself."

He suggested buying an airline club membership or a day pass for up to $50 for a comfortable armchair with free snacks, beverages and a television. But most airline clubs close by 10 p.m.

Another suggestion from Brancatelli: keep the toll-free numbers of hotel chains handy and pay for a room. "What is your time and productivity worth, and what price do you put on a bed, shower and couple hours of sleep?" he asked.

Airports range widely in what they offer overnight guests. The top-ranked airport at the Guide to Sleeping in Airports Web site for the last 10 years is Singapore Changi Airport. It has dimly lighted napping areas, where comfortable leather chairs have leg rests and headrests. Some are even fitted with alarm clocks. There are also cheap sleeping cubicles available for travelers.

Frank Giotto, President of Fiber Instrument Sales Inc., demonstrated the Mini Motel, which includes an air mattress, pillow, bed sheet, alarm clock, reading light, toothbrush and toothpaste, ear plugs and eye shades. (Jonathan Cohen for The New York Times)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/15/business/15sleep.php

[Sassy1natl 0]

Ummm...I don't really know what to say. Helllll to the no, comes to mind though.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Ummm...I don't really know what to say. Helllll to the no, comes to mind though.

I'd do it. I'm a cheap bastage, just ask my Wife! In fact, I'm to cheap to pay want for it. I'd go to Wally World and buy a regular tent instead!

Edited July 16, 2008 by WideAwakeInTheUSA

[MrsCat 6]

I've stayed in far worse places than that tent!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Ummm...I don't really know what to say. Helllll to the no, comes to mind though.

I'd do it. I'm a cheap bastage, just ask my Wife! In fact, I'm to cheap to pay want for it. I'd go to Wally World and buy a regular tent instead!

Yeah. Beats sleeping out in the open.

[Sassy1natl 0]

Guess I have never really had to sleep in an airport. I think I would be too paranoid.

[john & jean 37]

Ummm...I don't really know what to say. Helllll to the no, comes to mind though.

I'd do it. I'm a cheap bastage, just ask my Wife! In fact, I'm to cheap to pay want for it. I'd go to Wally World and buy a regular tent instead!

Yeah. Beats sleeping out in the open.

sleep deprivation is as good as drugs. after fifty hours or so you have really wierd things happen!!!

[Cassie 8]

Guess I have never really had to sleep in an airport. I think I would be too paranoid.

It's not that bad, I've had to do it before. JFK even. There were more people there than I expected.

I refuse to sleep overnight in an airport during the Christmas rush. Waaaaay too crowded.

[Niels Bohr 72]

After a long flight over the North Pole from Southeast Asia, I'd sleep in a tent if I have it. Sleeping on the plane is like having a hangover.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Airports do seem to have different levels of tolerance and consideration for overnight guests. I spent a night in Frankfurt once, and people were just everywhere. There were some shops open quite late, and airport employees just ignored us, probably because there were flights at all hours. It was extremely uncomfortable though, as public areas are not carpeted. I also spent a night in the Manila Int'l airport years ago. I woke up on a bench in a fog of bug spray and had to climb to the second lobby level to escape. No notice at all, just spray. Some overnighters just sat in the spray, didn't even try to move.

Edited July 16, 2008 by Brad and Vika

[DairyFarmer 1]

I've had to do it on numerous occasions. Long layovers delayed/cancelled flights. Never been bothered by airport staff.

LAX back in the day was good, (1992 last layover)

KL is great. Lots of lounge seats and long bench seats with out arms or backs to lie down to nap on though I was once woken by someone stroking my ankle :creep alert: :semi minor freakout:

J'burg good in the transit lounge (not so much in domestic in fact would NOT even try to nap in domestic.

Amsterdam so so. Not if flying Easy Jet.

Honolulu was nice to.

and

Sydney really comfy chairs.

But the trick I find is to have packed an airline (style) blanket, eye mask and pillow. Set the alarm on your mobile and snooze away.

Edited July 16, 2008 by DairyFarmer

[Sassy1natl 0]

I've had to do it on numerous occasions. Long layovers delayed/cancelled flights. Never been bothered by airport staff.

LAX back in the day was good, (1992 last layover)

KL is great. Lots of lounge seats and long bench seats with out arms or backs to lie down to nap on though I was once woken by someone stroking my ankle :creep alert: :semi minor freakout:

J'burg good in the transit lounge (not so much in domestic in fact would NOT even try to nap in domestic.

Amsterdam so so. Not if flying Easy Jet.

Honolulu was nice to.

and

Sydney really comfy chairs.

But the trick I find is to have packed an airline (style) blanket, eye mask and pillow. Set the alarm on your mobile and snooze away.

See, that "creep alert" is EXACTLY why I can't sleep in an airport. I can stay awake. I have gone 40 hours without losing major cognitive skills

[Teacher Mark 53]

I was once woken by someone stroking my ankle :creep alert: :semi minor freakout:

Edited July 16, 2008 by WideAwakeInTheUSA

[Sassy1natl 0]

Seee?! UGGGH. My point exactly.

[DairyFarmer 1]

I was once woken by someone stroking my ankle :creep alert: :semi minor freakout:

I can't see it. Damn work computer blocker. Someone tell me please???