Travelers Admit To Wide Range Of Behavior To Pass Time

The following report is to be taken at least somewhat tongue-in-cheek... we hope. Online travel community IgoUgo.com recently surveyed its members and found that more than 73 percent of travelers said they are spending more time in airports due to flight delays or layovers. But what was really surprising was just what people are up to on their layovers.

IgoUgo says its editors found some interesting behavior happening in terminals: one-third of people are spending more time in the bar; 36 percent pass the time by eavesdropping; 16 percent drink with strangers and eight percent attempt to sneak into the VIP lounges.

The results also show a majority of travelers still turn to typical activities such as reading (74 percent), eating at a restaurant (60 percent) or walking the terminal for exercise (43 percent).

Additionally, more than half (53 percent) admitted to participating in behavior at an airport that they otherwise would not have. Some of their out-of-the ordinary behavior includes giving their email address or phone number to strangers; confiding personal secrets to -- or kissing -- those same strangers; assuming a false identity; and sponging themselves down in the bathroom.

In a revelation sure to raise the ire of TSA agents everywhere, some frequent fliers also admit to asking strangers to watch their luggage.

"IgoUgo members are savvy travelers, and as our poll results show, the more direct flights are cut and the more layovers are dealt, the more creative they are with ways to pass the time," said Michelle Doucette, content manager at IgoUgo.com.

According to IgoUgo members, nearly 30 percent of them would rather go to the dentist than have a two hour layover. However, when asked, there are some airports that make layovers more bearable than others... including Las Vegas, Atlanta, Denver, O'Hare, and Dallas/Fort Worth.

IgoUgo adds 12 percent of respondents say they view domestic layovers as an opportunity to get out and explore a new city. When traveling internationally, that number jumps to 26 percent.

FMI: www.igougo.com/layover