What to Text on Snapchat When She's Stuck at a Delayed Flight

A two-hour delay and a six-hour delay call for different tones. With a short delay she's probably mildly irritated and wants a bit of sympathy. With a long one she's bored, maybe hungry, possibly watching the clock with dread. Her message usually tells you which. Look for words like "again," "finally," "just sitting," or exclamation marks versus periods.

Don't match her frustration with your own energy. If she's tired and flat, keep your message short and low pressure. If she's cracking jokes about the situation, you can do the same. Her tone is the signal, and mirroring it is what makes you feel like you're in the same moment.

The best replies hand her an easy next step. A question with a simple answer works better than an open one. "Which gate are you at?" is easier to answer than "how are you feeling about all this?" Something about the airport itself works well too, like asking what the food options are or whether she's found a charger. These questions are cheap to answer and she can reply from her phone in thirty seconds while she waits.

Avoid questions that require her to explain herself or reveal something heavy. Keep the stakes low. You want her to feel the conversation is a nice break from the boredom, not a task.

She's in an airport, which means her attention is split. Her phone battery may be dropping, she might be getting up to check the board, or she might be half-listening while someone next to her talks. Send one message, then leave room. If she responds fast, you can keep it moving. If she goes quiet for twenty minutes, assume she's in the middle of something, not that she's lost interest. A delayed flight also means she may simply stop replying when her gate is finally called or when she boards. Don't read silence during a travel delay as a verdict on how you're doing.