I hope guppies can share their anecdotes of airport layovers here.
The movie Terminal reminded me of a seven hour wait in the Baghdad departure lounge. It was the year 1990 and the mother of all battles was months away.
I have been to many airports since then, but I will always remember Baghdad’s complimentary buffet for transit passengers and their couches unobstructed of armrests, or simply no cold marble floors to have to lie down on. I think they even gave us blankets.
I once shivered the night away in Dubai’s departure lounge – and to discover at my destination that my bag was duct-taped with a foreign item inside - it wasn’t pot!. Nothing was missing.
Hethrow - Going to Pakistan & PIA decided they need to make people wait ... 13 hours at the airport, couldn't leave as they wouldn't tell if the 'problem' will be fixed in an hour or a day.
Yes, I have an airport story, not really a layover but then I haven't traveled like some people that I envy here. I once toddled off to a transit bus and almost boarded a plane to God knows where...I was two at the time. I was brought back by security quite content and calm meanwhile my mother was hysterical. I think I have this vivid image in my head about being on that bus but it's likely from another time.
I have an extreme dislike for all airports where I have stayed longer than 6 hours, so thats Frankfurt and Amsterdam. I never want to go to these countries, because I hated the time spent at these airports.
I would gladly spend 12 hours at Dubai airport though, but unfortunately, I only ever get to spend an hour or two max.
Bahrain airport. On the way to Karachi, the stopover was supposed to be a few hours (I think around 2 or 3) and it got extended to 6 hours. Horrible, horrible, horrible. It was me and my mother travelling and we were the only women on the plane!!! The rest were these workers returning to Karachi.
They arranged for sandwiches to be served cause of the delay. My mother was in line while I stayed on the side with our hand luggage. Most of the passengers (men) were incredibly rude. A few of them came along and literally shoved her out of the line, yes that’s right, shove, and said “women have to line up seperately over there”. So my mother goes and stands where she was rudely told to go and the airport staff told her to get back in line after witnessing what happened. So I lost my temper and started yelling at them and the men who shoved my mother.
A lot more happened on that flight and it just vexes me thinking about it cause security and staff members saw what was happening and did nothing. At least once we landed in Karachi, security came along and had to tell these men to get stuffed.
We had to do an emergency landing once at Gander Airport, Newfoundland. THe pilot asked us to crouch and do the whole emergency drill. But Alhamdulillah we landed safely. But then they had to fix it or get another plane out. We spent 18 hours there, sleeping on the cold floor, with barely any blankets or pillows etc. THe hotels downtown were all booked up becuz of some conference. They served us decent meals but it was still the most boring airport stay ever.
Two more come to mind:
At Istanbul airport once, myself and few other Karachi-bound passengers were lost in translation for at least two hours after having asked for our hotel vouchers because of the forced overnight. Finally we understood that they wanted Liras5000 each for a transit visa (then Rs50). They took our small change and then put us in a nice 4-star hotel.
I once flew from Muscat to Bahrain on Gulf Air. I was caught off guard twice, first the plane landed in Dubai, when it took off again, little did I know that we had to buckle up again to land in Doha after 15 minutes. We might as well could have been on candid camera.
Ahmadjee, yes, PIA is quite notorious for delays. Nevertheless, I will always remember this landing with PIA - I did not realize till several seconds later that the plane was on the ground and taxiing. I guess reciting the Prophet's (saw) duaa does make it a safe airline.
Hayaa, I don't blame your mom for being hysterical.
Cat-woman, well I like Amsterdam Schipol airport - the easy one-terminal concept and the same lounge for arriving and departing passengers. One time I slept in the departure lounge and at 5am checked in passed immigration and took a hot shower. How about that for a cheap place to stay - sure beats hotel Ibis.
Mehnaz, you did the right thing. The moron first in line, should have actually shown courtesy of letting you speak first. Most of them must be laborers. Cut them some slack.
Ira, 18 hours at Gander? Even at Saint John's or Halifax would have been an ordeal. Couldn't you folks go and catch a whale-watching tour or something?
So my mother goes and stands where she was rudely told to go and the airport staff told her to get back in line after witnessing what happened. So I lost my temper and started yelling at them and the men who shoved my mother.