I was not stranded but on my way home from Cancun to Philadelphia. We had a layover in Chicago. I was only there for a few hours but that airport (O'Hare) had the cleanest bathrooms i have ever seen.

Sent by Amanda Villier | 2:46 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Once again NPR or the producers of ton are wasting airtime with fluff that is barely above Entertainment Tonite, COPS and below USA Today lifestyles page.

Sent by kent strock | 2:47 PM ET | 04-10-2008

If a massage is available I always go. Detroit international has an excellent Spa, ora-oxygen. I might get a cappucino or a drink at a bar but more likely than not I'll try to get comfortable in available seating somewhere out of the way and catch up on some reading. again, Detroit I've found to be the most comfortable spot.

Sent by Dan Elyar | 2:49 PM ET | 04-10-2008

The Philadelphia Airport has a continuous series of art exhibitions which I find extremely worthwhile

Sent by Harry in Chicago | 2:51 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Sacramento has a bar in the departure lounge that makes the best spicy Bloody Marys with a long stem of celery and fresh ground pepper.

Sent by Carter from Sacramento | 2:51 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Personally I love to knit while traveling and lately I don't appear to be the only one. I don't ever seem to have enough time for that hobby when I'm not traveling. I think it would be great if airports had some craft/knitting stores, places where people can pick up a portable hobby.

Sent by Kelli | 2:51 PM ET | 04-10-2008

When in airports I play this game with friends, family and sometimes unsuspecting bystanders. Find a gift shop and the most useless, ugly, and unnecessarily expensive item. Then proceed to convinced those friends, family, or the guy with the weird hat that it should be theirs. Tie's are great with this "You know it would really look great on you" then a few months later pay dirt.

Sent by John | 2:52 PM ET | 04-10-2008

I was stuck at the Delhi airport with my 15 month daughter and husband and it was a nightmare. We missed our flight by 2 mins and we could see the crew members going. Airport personnels did not help us and we had to spend the night at the airport. Practically my daughter and i studied the airport and my husband tried to find someone who could help us. Nice way to end the vacation

Sent by Urvi | 2:53 PM ET | 04-10-2008

I spent a wonderful hour recently at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta looking at the remarkable exhibit of large stone sculpture done by Zimbabwan artists in local stone, some drawn from life, some depicting myths and speaking of universal themes. I was glad I had a layover and happened on to it while changing planes. If your're lucky enough to be at Hartsfield, don't miss this!

Sent by Jane B McWilliams | 2:55 PM ET | 04-10-2008

I can't believe what I just heard! When and where and WHAT AIRLINE actually gives out coupons? What kind of yuppie propaganda is this?

Sent by Erin | 2:55 PM ET | 04-10-2008

The worst airport in America (possibly the world) is MIA (Miami International Airport). No good restaurants --- nothing to do. Awful!

Sent by Angie Sherrill | 2:55 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Food at Atlanta airport... and others

I had a big surprise last year, heart surgery. I travelled through Atlanta about a month later, with a few hours to eat and amuse myself at the airport waiting for a connecting flight. I discovered 2 interesting features of the airport: nicely spaced cardio resuscitation units all over the place, and no food I could eat (except salad w/o dressing). Food vendors like Wolfgang Puck had an array of sandwiches, which thanks to labeling, I learned had more than a RDA of sodium in each sandwich! From my perspective, it is hard to consider this a gourmet option. The rest were almost as bad (for me). No wonder they need all those cardio rescue units!

Sent by Dave O'Malley | 2:56 PM ET | 04-10-2008

On a long layover at LAX from New Zealand to Chicago with my two children we went to a local hotel and sat in the hot tub it made the flights more bearable and arrived less stiff. It was much enjoyed by my two children too. I agree that LAX is the worst place for a lay over long or short!!

Sent by Alice Ann | 2:57 PM ET | 04-10-2008

If interested in journalism why not a story about the connection between the recent FAA whistleblower testimony and the sudden focus on safety? Did the feds or the administration decide to deflect attention?

Sent by kent strock | 2:58 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Philadlephia Airport will soon have dog parks for the public traveling with animals.

Sent by Craig | 3:00 PM ET | 04-10-2008

How is it journalism indulging women to talk about pedicures and massages and the host asks what kind of cocktail someone likes...jeeez..amazing

Sent by kent strock | 3:03 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Hi!
My favorite airport-distress defense is ...BUBBLES! (Before you ask, I'm 53 years old). I often carry small containers of bubbles like the kind you get for weddings. If I'm stuck in a long line, or in a waiting area,I just get out the bubbles and start sending them out...most of the time, people are so surprised that they have to smile. Of course I have to carry a few extras so I can enlist a few others in my plot to 'get grins'. It's fun, and lots of people really like looking at bubbles....it's a reminder to "lighten up".

Sent by Marian Spadone | 3:05 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Do I hit the bar?
No because I don't make enough money to buy a beer at $5.75 a bottle.

Do I go for a massage?
No because I do not earn enough money to afford such a luxury. What a stupid question.

Do I splurge on a hotel room?
No because I do not have several hundred dollars available for such a luxury, and in major delay situations such as what's happening today, very few hotels have rooms available. What a stupid question.

Do you commiserate with strangers?
Commiserate? Do I make friends with other people ??? sure. But can those other people help me deal with the fact that my dog is at home waiting for me without food or water? What a stupid question.

Are there certain airports at which you prefer to be stranded?
No. I do not prefer to be stranded anywhere. Stupid question!

Sent by Jim | 3:08 PM ET | 04-10-2008

What better way for stranded passengers this week to entertain themselves than by opening up their laptops and emailing state and Congressional representatives demanding vigorous prosecution of the governmental and corporate malfeasance that is behind all these sudden inspections? After all, if the FAA and the airlines had been doing their jobs, inspections would have been made in a timely manner and not all in the same week. I would like to see those persons responsible for this mess held accountable; after all, why should only the traveling consumer suffer?

Sent by Ann Woods | 3:29 PM ET | 04-10-2008

One negative development that seems to be in all airports over the past few years has been the addition of televisions everywhere! Sometimes they are quiet w/subtitles, but more often they are on and even loud. From the gate area (the worst when trying to read or concentrate on work) to baggage claim, to restuarants. I've even seen them in elevators! I feel so angered by this trend in our society. It takes away a person's right to be in an atmosphere free of noise and images, and it sends a terrible message to children: we/you MUST have a tv in order to be passively entertained while you wait, rather than allowing people to fill their time by actively making their own choices about how to do that. I'm furious but of course helpless to change such a widespread situation. Whenever I decide to ask, the person of authority usually says, "How strange. That's what everyone wants. If we removed it they'd complain." What did they do before? I know they managed. What about those of us who don't like it. Do our complaints hold any weight. Who else feels this way?

Sent by Janet | 3:33 PM ET | 04-10-2008

Instead of this topic couldn't your resources be mustered to FFA deregulation or the massive subsidies to the airline industry?

Sent by kent strock | 4:28 PM ET | 04-10-2008

When I'm waiting around, I take that time to catch up on the ancient art of letter writing. I'll pick up postcards in the gift store and some postage to send to my friends abroad. In spite of the prevalent digital age, people generally enjoy the nice surprise of a postcard. The hardest part about all this is usually trying to find a POST OFFICE BOX! They don't exist anywhere within walking distance of LAX, but at a place like Manchester, NH they have a box a few hundred feet outside the terminal.

Sent by Karen Ngo | 1:07 AM ET | 04-11-2008

I can not agree with Mr. Kent Strock more!!!
"Once again NPR, or the producers of, are wasting airtime with fluff that is barely above Entertainment Tonight, COPS and below USA Today lifestyles page.

Sent by kent strock | 2:47 PM ET | 04-10-2008

How much is the public gong to take. We are being held hostage at a airport by a uncaring system. Why don't we just ask the public..."if you were put in prison for the day, though no fault of your own, striped of your possessions, how would you escape the torture. The only time the people will put up with bad service, is when we are dealing with a monopoly. The air line have turned into a monopoly of poor safety and poor service.

Sent by G. Roberts | 3:57 PM ET | 04-11-2008

This topic may seem trivial but helping people think of ways to allay their frustrations is a public service. I agree with those who point out that passing the time in an airport is mostly expensive. I use the time to call people I have neglected and also have learned never to enter an airport with having a real page-turner of a book in my carry-on. Art exhibits are wonderful (the Zimbabwe sculptures alone are worth the whole trip to Atlanta) but airports should offer more variety than television for those who aren't 1. fine art fans 2. rich

Sent by Jackie | 10:45 AM ET | 04-12-2008

I was on one of these MD-80s in March with my girlfriend. The inspections were long overdue and I'm very grateful for getting safely to JFK.

Sent by Peter | 7:23 PM ET | 04-13-2008