With the recent IT outage that caused millions of flights worldwide to be delayed or canceled, we might think that travel delays are a product of the modern digital age.  In reality, travel delays are as old as travel itself, whether they are caused by weather, public transport strikes, mechanical failures, or even travel itself in the form of overoccupied airspace and highways.

The more you travel, the more likely you are to experience delays.  Even if you don’t, you might end up with a layover that is longer than you would like.  As an independent traveler, you strive to create itineraries that minimize downtime and make the most of your precious traveling time, but delays may happen due to circumstances beyond your control.  The key to avoiding frustration is accepting that delays may happen, and varying your activities during the delay if you do experience one.

What to do with your cell phone?  You may need to notify family, friends, or others of your delay if they are involved in your travel plans, but once you’ve done so, you can usually only doomscroll social media or check e-mail so much before it gets boring.  Offline reading is a good change of pace, with a good book or other print material.

Give yourself permission not to be productive for a while.  Modern humans have been imbued with a sense that they must be productive for every minute of every day, but there is often a point of diminishing returns when striving to squeeze productivity out of every waking second of your life.   Give yourself permission to grab something to eat or drink, take a walk, or otherwise take a break, even if you have to work during your travel delay.  Be aware and alert for when your train or plane is expected to leave, using the information desk or track/gate info signs, and be close to your gate or track when the departure time is getting closer. 

Learn to enjoy your current location.  If you are driving and stuck in traffic, take in whatever scenery you can.  Examine other drivers and imagine their stories - where they’re headed, where they’ve come from, and why they’re traveling.  Try listening to different radio stations or podcasts than you would normally consume.   Do the same for train or bus voyages.  Learn to see transportation as part of the voyage, not an extraneous bother, and be present in the moment.  We always want to be at the next destination as soon as we can, but if we had the ability to teleport, we would not feel as much joy upon arrival at our destination. The people around you are part of the journey, too, and people-watching can be interesting.  People-watching is not about being a busybody, but about situational awareness.  

Be aware of your surroundings.  If you are in an airport, train station or bus station, stay in well-lit areas with other people around, especially at night.  Remember that most people are honest and most people are kind.  Know where to go for help if you need it, whether to station managers, police, an information desk, or an emergency call button.  If you are driving long distances, be aware of the next town or city on your route, its size, and whether it might be a worthwhile rest stop if you need it. 

How do you manage travel delays and layovers?  Tell us in the comments, and if you haven't done so already, click below to register for the Top 11 Travel Health and Safety Myths!  ZING!