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[studentaffairsgal]

I understand this question is somewhat flawed as an hour-long flight's activities will certainly be different than a trans-oceanic flight, so please forgive!

Usually, I consider flying to be "me" time, but on a flight this weekend, found myself chatting with the person sitting next to me the entire time.

[locutus]

Ideally I'd watch a movie on the Ipod video I just got. In reality I often end up just zoning out and maybe reading.

I don't do chatting.

[prytania3]

I always sleep because I am either drunk or doped up when I fly.

[donstefano]

It depends. On transatlantic flight, when jetlag is likely, eating, watching a stupid movie and sleeping.

On other flights, often short, I normally do some work -reading,proofreading, (I have quite frequent 1-2 h flights), and reading the papers. I enjoyed flying more as as student: in thise days you could spend you time during a 2h flight having a 3 course meal, and spend the remainder having a coffee, extra glass of wine, or a digestive. Alas, those days have gone.

[spicoli]

I listen to ambient music and stare at the seat in front of me.

[epistephiliac]

I always sleep because I am either drunk or doped up when I fly.

I usually sleep because I have plane-induced narcolepsy. I have a hard time staying awake in the waiting area at the gate: apparently just the knowledge that I will soon be boarding is enough to trigger my sleep function.

On long flights, after I wake up from my nap I will usually read (for pleasure or work, it depends) and/or listen to music. On the last couple of long flights I've taken, I've hauled out the laptop and worked on my dissertation as long as the battery held out.

[notaprof]

I mostly sleep, or read until I fall asleep.  I never chat and pulling out my little pillow, putting on the headphones, leaning against the window and closing my eyes usually conveys my intentions to my seatmates and they leave me alone.  

[ufo_tofu]

I panic and attempt to do relaxation exercises.  And try to remember to breathe.  And really, really concentrate on not freaking out.

[stanwyck]

Sleeping.  I take noise-reducing headphones, earplugs, and eyemask with me every time I fly.  If I can't sleep, I'll pretend to be asleep, it's almost as restful.

[ufo_tofu]

Also, as a courtesy to the other passengers, I use my mind control powers to keep the plane in the air.  Very time consuming . . .

[notaprof]

Also, as a courtesy to the other passengers, I use my mind control powers to keep the plane in the air.  Very time consuming . . .

So kind of you.  I would have thought someone named ufo would be a lover of flying.  So ufo stands for uncomfortable flying occupant?

[ufo_tofu]

Actually, it stands for Unbelievably Freaked Out (in a plane).

[sleepdeprived]

Add me to the list of people who spends the time going to a happy place.  Sometimes through chemistry, other times with the worst gossip magazine I can find (In Touch, US Weekly, etc.), other times staring out the window, trying to find the horizon and to focus on it so as not to FREAK THE HELL OUT.

[king_ghidorah]

I try very hard not to talk to the person next to me.  It actually consumes me.  I hate casual conversation with strangers.  So I feign sleep.  In my inner self I am doing a Walter Mitty and saving all the passengers (one of which is inevitably someone of international importance - NOT George Bush) by staggering up the aisle, kicking in the cabin door, pulling the unconscious pilot from hu's chair, and then landing the plane by following the instructions of a nearly hysterical controller.  Part of a midlife crisis probably.

[frazali]

Ideally I'd watch a movie on the Ipod video I just got. In reality I often end up just zoning out and maybe reading.

I don't do chatting.

Video ipod is a wonderful thing. And it helps to avoid the random talkers that I seem to attract.