Now, I’ve tried to do writing on a plane. At least back when I was able to afford tickets and had a reason to go. There are plenty of ways to make this a fun event even if you’re crammed into a small seat with a stranger nearly on your lap. Noise, attitude, tension, and all the fun of air travel. That’s just getting through security too. Anyway, here are 7 ways to get work done when on a plane:
- Most importantly, listen to George Carlin. Get in the plane. Safety aside, you can’t get a flight attendant to come out to the wing and those wings are not notebook friendly. I don’t think there are outlets there either. Oh, and you might take a migrating bird to the nose.
- Do not trust the odd indent in the tray table. It looks like a cup holder and probably can contain the small cups they give you. The whole thing is a two-sided trap designed to ruin notebooks and laptops. One jolt of turbulence and you get a spill. If not from the cup then the half full can of liquid that won’t fit in the cup and has nowhere to go because you only have one half-baked cup holder.
- Take advantage of the pocket on the back of the chair in front of you. Perfect for putting notes, the stapler that security stopped you about, extra pencils that security wouldn’t let you sharpen, and other necessary supplies. The best part about this is that when you’re reminded to look for everything you may have brought on board, you know they’re talking to you. Let’s be honest though. Something is getting left behind and resulting in you trying to sneak back onto the plane.
- Having trouble with a scene? Well you have a captive listener right next to you. Bring candy along to make friends or promise them a cameo in the story. Worst case scenario, you might have to show interest in their lives. Be careful with that one since it could talk longer than you expected.
- They have tiny bottles of alcohol. Factor that into your budget if that’s your thing. If not then there are some other goodies that you can indulge in. Just because you’re sitting in coach doesn’t mean you can’t pretend to be an author in first class.
- If turbulence is too much to write comfortably then it’s the perfect time to people watch. Crying babies, stressed parents, bellowing jackasses, drugged first time fliers, that couple doing what everyone knows they’re doing, the snoring guy that has blocked you from getting to the bathroom, and so many interesting people. Uh, stop staring at the couple, buddy. Don’t be creepy.
- Daydreaming can count as progress if you aim it correctly. Let’s be honest. Sometimes a plane is too bumpy, cramped, and smelly to focus. Blast your music and you get complaints from those who were interrupting your work. Just stare ahead, refuse to blink, and laugh at random intervals. I’m sure nothing will seem suspicious.
Legends of Windemere 
You have some good ideas here. I usually use number 7 – daydreaming. I use the flight as a time for creativity. But your suggestions make sense. I need to better management this time. I can actually rip off a chapter or two depending on the length of the flight.
LikeLike
I’ve only done a few short flights and I get motion sickness. So I don’t really make much progress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a couple of 4 hour flights later this year, so I can get quite a bit done. Thanks Charles.
LikeLike
No problem. Enjoy the weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. You too.
LikeLike
Having spent 50 years on airplanes every week this one was a hoot. I remember trying to write and the guy next to me kept asking what I was doing. I think he thought I was doing surveillance on him.
LikeLike
I’ve been there in a way. Start writing and then I’m in a conversation with someone about how they wanted to be an author. Not a bad topic for a few minutes, but an entire flight can be frustrating. Do you still fly every now and then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funerals and sick friends mostly now. When you get older they seem to come more frequent.
LikeLike
I’ve heard that before. Honestly, I miss the days where the big events were all birthday parties. So you knew there would be fun, games, and cake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, we all manage still to have some fun with the memories, a big bunch of food and gallons to drink. Once parted though, the sadness hits.
LikeLike
Makes sense. You take comfort in the company, so the sadness can’t show up until later.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Haha I love your warning for #4. Talking to people is great for inspiration, but DAMN can they go on and on and on and on. Plus, when you’re on a plane, there’s no way you can escape if the conversation keeps going. Ahhhhhhhh. I’m getting frustrated just thinking about it lol.
LikeLike
I’ve actually never been stuck next to a talker. Snorer, space hogger, whiner, and farter. Never a talker. Think I’d prefer that to the last one on that list.
LikeLike
Worst of all is the parent with small, loud, obnoxious child, in my opinion. Adults, you have some hope of talking down from whatever irritating activity they’re engaging in. Children aren’t quite as willing to cooperate, lol. And babies! Don’t get me started on crying babies on airplanes. I get that they have places to be, but OH MY GOODNESS.
LikeLike
Honestly, I’m not exactly sure where you’re going with this. At least the second line. Something that a lot of people don’t realize is that many babies are crying because they’re in pain. Babies and small children are very sensitive to the change in air pressure, so their ears are either clogged or simply in pain. I had to look this up when I took my son (age 2) on a plane. There are earplugs for kids that stop the pressure from causing trouble, but they’re very hard to find.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, I’d just woken up when I wrote that and didn’t explain myself properly. Let me clarify. Babies and little kids, I totally get. They’re in pain, they don’t really understand what’s going on — totally understandable. I always feel sorry for the little tykes when they start crying. It’s the older kids that tick me off — the ones who kick the back of the seats, or start fighting with their siblings, or play on their iPad with the volume turned to max. Or maybe it’s the parents’ fault for not teaching them proper plane etiquette? I don’t know (not a parent yet, so no frame of reference for me!)
LikeLike
The parents definitely have to step in at that point. I figured that was part of it, which is why I only mentioned the babies and toddlers. I think one part of it is that some people are naturally jerks and putting in enclosed spaces with others never ends well. I remember one guy kept leaning his chair back to the point where I couldn’t use my tray. Didn’t stop even when asked. Kids are a tougher call at times because you can’t do much unless the parents step in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
As someone who writes on a plan (I’m actually typing this comment on one right now as I fly into Phoenix), Charles nails it with these tips.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog. Have a safe flight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will relay that request to the pilot as I’m just one of the sardines in this flying tin can.
LikeLike
Send him a free copy of your book too. Just not to read during the flight. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
True. He may fall asleep 🙂
LikeLike
I think it should be compulsory for authors to get an upgrade to first class. Because they need to work, duh.
LikeLike
That would be awesome. Though I’ve never actually been on a flight that had first class. Is that more of a long distance trip thing?
LikeLike
Yes. That’s when u need it. Definitely!
LikeLike
Leg and arm room would definitely be a glorious thing. Some trips it’s like I’m a squished T-Rex trying write.
LikeLiked by 1 person