Patience is definitely a virtue for delayed fliers

Last week, on a flight from Chicago to San Francisco, I sat in front of a mother traveling with her 2-year-old daughter. The flight was delayed because of bad weather and we were stuck on the tarmac for nearly two hours.

One man, seated in front of me, used his cell phone to tell the world how miserable he was. Another passenger rang her call button every few minutes to ask the flight attendants if they knew how much longer it would take. And several passengers requested the crew serve something besides water while they waited.

But the child was incredibly good. She stayed seated with her seatbelt fastened and quietly sang, "Wheels on the bus go round and round all through the town."

And when she did become a little antsy, her mother asked her, "What's the word of the day?" The little girl responded, "Patience," and went back to her singing.

"A lot of passengers on this flight could learn something from that little girl," said my seatmate. "It would make flying more pleasant for everybody."

Apparently, "'tis the season to be jolly" hasn't been adopted by the flying public. And with delays, crowded airplanes and long security lines guaranteed, air travelers need to find ways to take the heat without losing their cool.

Here are ways some frequent fliers cope with the flying debris:

• Dress for success. "It's all about comfort," says Betty Wierke, who says you can reduce the stress by what you wear. Betty's flying uniform is a pantsuit with a pull-on sweater and a pair of slip-on shoes. She limits her jewelry to a watch that doesn't set off the security alarm. She packs her winter coat and boots in her checked bag.

By keeping her dress code simple, if she gets pulled aside at security for a more-thorough search, it's generally quick and uncomplicated.

• Pack a lunch. My dear old mother used to say, "You are what you eat." If that's true, it explains why you find so many nuts at 35,000 feet. Face it, in-flight meals are an oxymoron. Even if something is served, it's likely to be high in fat and salt. You're far better off packing your own lunch. Fresh fruit and whole-grain bars are still allowed in your carry-on bag. Although you can't bring bottles of water through security, you can purchase a liter in the gate area and bring it onboard.

Having something healthy to eat when you're stuck on a plane might help raise your blood-sugar level while lowering your stress level. And it can make the time fly even when you can't.

• Bring your own fun. While many frequent fliers use their airport and airplane downtime as a chance to catch up on their work, others see it as a chance to have some time for themselves. They pack books, magazines, DVDs and CDs in their carry-on bags.

Connie Lyons takes it a step further. Connie keeps a project packed in her carry-on bag and only works on it when she travels. She turns off her cell phone and looks at an airport delay as an opportunity to have some alone time. Last July, she started knitting a Christmas stocking for her 1-year-old niece. Two weeks ago, while waiting for a flight in Dallas, she finished it.

No one needs to be stuck at an airport with nothing to do. You just need to plan ahead. It's a great time for those rainy-day projects that you never have time to do. When traveling really gets you down, take a lesson from the 2-year-old and remember the word for the day: patience.