In many ways, flying today is a more uncertain endeavor than in years past. Jam-packed airports, unpredictable weather, and stepped-up security measures often result in delays and unplanned layovers. But instead of stewing in your uncomfortable terminal seat, why not use some handy tech gadgets and services to pass the time?
Anyone can become brain-dead from watching four hours of CNN Airport Network. Instead, use your laptop to watch what you want. If you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can watch episodes of your favorite shows on Hulu.com or movies in your queue with a Netflix Streaming account. If you like to travel light, you can sign up for SlingPlayer Mobile to watch the cable channels you get at home on your iPhone or BlackBerry.
You can also use downtime to catch up with friends and relatives. If you don't want to burn cell-phone minutes—or you prefer face-to-face communication—log onto Skype for a quick phone call or video chat. But don't forget to bring a headset, such as Novero TheFirstOne Bluetooth headset ($149 direct).
A long layover is also a good opportunity to catch up on your reading. Instead of adding weight to your bag, you can load a shelf full of books onto your trusty e-book reader, such as the Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-300) ($199.99 direct), Barnes & Noble Nook ($259 direct), or the Amazon Kindle 2 ($359 direct). Or if the airport newsstand has nothing of interest, download the digital edition of your favorite magazine from Zinio.com or Nxtstand to read whether on- or offline.
Finally, if you're traveling with kids, preventing meltdowns is of the utmost importance. One way to keep them entertained is to let them travel with their own Fisher Price Kid-Tough Portable DVD Player ($150 direct). Kids a bit older will no doubt want Web access. A kid-friendly netbook, such as the Disney Netpal by Asus ($350 street) will let you have your laptop to yourself without emptying your wallet. And if all else fails, you can always play Minesweeper.
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