The recent Virgin Atlantic flight that left people on a plane for more than 11 hours, including a four-hour delay on the tarmac in Connecticut leaves us asking ourselves, what do you do?
This particular delay — which the result of bad weather, an under worked customs office and a few other coincidences resulted in the flight from London being diverted from Newark International Airport to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks (near Hartford), according to media reports.
While the plane landed at 8:20 p.m., the airport did not have any customs officers available and wouldn’t let the plane drive up to a gate — so people just sat there, and sat there and sat there. Three different people had to be taken away in ambulances, according to reports.
So what do you do if you’re stuck on a flight indefinitely.
1. Stay calm: There is going to be plenty of shrill people on the flight, pissing and moaning and whining at the top of their lungs. This does little good. You’re stuck, your rights are not being 
violated, the world is not going to end, so take it like an adult.
2. Stay dark: When the plane turns off its engines, the A/C is going to be turned off. Keep your window closed and your mouth shut because that little tube is about to become a smelly sauna.
3. Music: These unexpected delays should serve as a reminder to always keep your iPhone charged as much as possible. Having the ability to listen to a favorite band instead of that woman behind you.
4. Sky Mall: If all else fails, check out the offerings at the Sky Mall — you never know, maybe you really do need the planter that also serves as a little box or that mini spy camera pen.
5. Toilet: If someone makes an announcement that the unexpected delay has occurred, ask nicely if you can use the bathroom. Especially after a long flight, there’s not going to be much room left in the tank — and when it fills up, people are going to know about it. It’s better to be the last person to use it than the first not allowed.
6. Speak quietly: There’s going to be enough shouting on this flight as time goes on. A quiet demeanor may get you what you want as well as keep those around you level headed.
7. Take your shoes off: You’re not going anywhere, why act like you are.
8. Hydrate: If there is water on the plane and someone offers you some, drink it in small sips. The 
water will make you feel better, help hydrate and improve your state of mind. (And another reason to bring a bottle of water with you on the plane.)
9. Sleep: If you can, close your eyes and catch some shut eye. Your computer battery is dead, your phone doesn’t work and you’re stuck. Make the most of it.
10 Phone calls: Be judicious on who you call and what you say. First of all, it’s just rude to call someone, shout into your phone about how horrible things are. People sitting around you already know the situation. Feigning outrage to some friend no one else knows is just bad form.
Really, it’s an awful thing to be stuck somewhere with no real light at the end of the runway. But it happens. You’re welcome to bitch up a storm once you get off the plane. But raising holy hell on the plane may release some stress, but it doesn’t do much good.
Make the most of the delay — and let’s be honest. While you might like to think this is not true, but really, how important are you that disappearing for a few hours is really going to have any kind of impact.
