Layover. The sight of the word makes most people cringe. The idea of a layover double the time of your two hour flight can seem eternal. Clocks seem to stop, and oh crap, have I only been occupying myself for 40 seconds? You begin to think it's going to be a lonnnnng day.

Photo: smithwithclass

You could be right. Or you could be wrong. Meaning, I think you're wrong. I love layovers. When I'm booking my connecting flight, I go for the longest. Why would I want the short, one hour layover? To get from plane A at terminal 100 to plane B at terminal 23 is just not enough time; might miss the connection. Longer layovers would prevent that. That's only one reason why layovers have some fantastic perks.

Totally Nonsarcastic Reasons Why Layovers are Awesome

You can finish a novel

There's nothing quite like cozying up to a book on a nice, fluorescent-lit day. And when you finish that first book, they have bookstores that sell never over-priced copies of the latest New York Times Bestseller list for only $30.00!! What a steal. You should probably stock up.

Photo: Jason Paris

You can eat candy and chips for dinner

It's the one time it's possible, considering it's some of the cheapest and quickest food at the airport to grab on the go, or just because sit-down restaurants and fast-food are so passé.

Photo: teldridge+keldridge

You can go shopping

You're not going to find your trip souvenir anywhere else than at the airport. There are so many places to stop and look; you'll love visiting all 100 Hudsonville News shops and getting kicked out of the duty-free shops because you're not traveling out of the country.

Photo: Jason Reidy

You can get your shoes shined

If you can't get your spouse or children to do it, the airport is a great place to get it done. And if you wear heels at the airport, you can get your toenails shined. Those need to look great when you finally emerge off that plane into the Miami heat.

Photo: Daquella manera

You can nap

So much more leg room than on a plane. You can stretch yourself out on the seats or the carpet without getting yelled at for not having your seat belt fastened.

Photo: Jupiter Firelyte

You get great internet

You can access it anywhere, unlike your plane that makes you turn it off. How rude; don't they know us millennials have attachment issues and need to text our friends, check twitter, and instagram our trip? And of course facebook update from 'at the airport' to 'layover at the airport' to 'flying to miami' to 'i'm in miami.'

Geeks at the Eleytherios Benizelos airport. From left to right: Linux, Windows, Mac...
Photo: apasp

You can people watch

You're all trapped there once you're past security so it makes a great realm for people watching. You can get to know people so well through their actions, you'll be sorry to see them get on their flight. Plus it's great to see dysfunctional families and think 'yes, we're that bad.'

Travel dino brushing up on ERDP theory while enjoying a smoke and some coffee

Photo: mac.rj

MORE articles on airport layovers (if you're stuck in an airport, and looking for something to do):

Hidden Treasures: The Airport Layover (Panama City, Panama)

What to do with your kid at the airport?

Four Reasons Why I Love Long Layovers

5 Ways to Spend an Icelandic Layover

Brianna Krueger is Chief Editor for Wandering Educators. You can read more of her hilarious travel tales (such as the 11 Types of Family Vacation Photos, How to Survive Vacationing with your Family, and Getting Kicked out of Germany) right here.

Feature photo: meddygarnet

All photos courtesy of flickr creative commons, except where noted