Coping with long queues at the airport:

Have you ever encountered those times, when you reach the airport on time but when it comes to checking in the luggage, there's a freakishly long queue snaking the hall leading to the counter? Well, some of us might say “Yeap, been there”, whereas some have not. Being caught in the queue can be extremely trying on the patience and what 'better' way to wear us down at the very start of the trip than a long queue.

Here are some of the ways we at ASEAN Kaleidoscope like to use to cope with the situation of a long queue at the airport.

Can I prevent it?

Absolutely, though we are not exactly sure about the regulations and gate opening time for each airport but one way we know to prevent the queue is to Beat the queue.

Arrive slightly earlier than the appointedd time and lay in wait. Check into a nearby cafe or the ones within the airport and have a cup of coffee while you wait for the counter to open. Bring along a book, newspaper, magazine or anything you'd like to keep yourself entertained.

Already caught in the queue?

Oh well, these sorts of things happen but we shouldn't let it ruin the mood. You can choose to:

1. Talk – If travelling in a group, conversation can make time go faster. Talk about the things you're looking forward to and what it is that you're hoping to find. Share intel about your knowledge of the destination and continue to increase the hype for the trip. Just remember not to get too excited on baseless ideals as reality is never the same.

2. People watching – This is highly recommended if the person is travelling alone but you can still do it in groups. When alone in a long queue, it may get tiring really fast. But observing your surroundings, the people and taking in the atmosphere is a great way to pass the time. This enhances observation skills that can be further applied into other aspects of life.

3. Be creative – This point has a connection to the previous activity which is people watching. When observing the waves of people waiting alongside you in the line, try thinking up of stories from the observations made. Note these down and you might have more than just your trip experiences to share when you return.

4. Load your smart device with entertainment – Loading your smart device with entertainment beforehand, can help with dealing a heavy crowd and queue. Read a few short articles on your favourite Blog or a few comic shorts while waiting in line will help pass the time. But let's not get engrossed in our entertainment, or we might hold the queue.

5. Document the process – For people who like to document their trip and share it when they return, taking a video of the process and share your thoughts and feelings. Be sure that the clips should not be offensive, be honest about your feelings and opinions but by no means be rude towards others.

With that, we hope that everyone will have a better time when caught in the queue at the airport. Till next time, safe travels everyone!!