Daily Record journalist Brian Mciver found that life in an airport was “terminal boredom” as he swapped the newsroom for the departure lounge for 24 hours.

Inspired by the new movie, The Terminal, starring Tom Hanks, Brian checked into Edinburgh International Airport and soon discovered that with nowhere to go, he struggled to pass the time.

Brian said: “It was my own idea, I was looking for punishment! The initial enthusiasm for the airport shops and cafes wears off pretty quickly.

“I was desperate for something to do so I would look at the flight arrivals information of planes all due at the same time and have bets with myself which one would land first.”

Brian said he slept for less than three hours on a uncomfortable three-seat bench.

He said: “I slept next to the shops and the bar which wasn’t a very good idea as the pub opened at five in the morning!

“I was woken up by a security guard who was checking people’s boarding passes. I didn’t have a boarding pass but I had already got permission from the airport and he apologised for waking me up.”

Brian told Daily Record readers: “I realise the airport is like a Las Vegas casino – the lighting and air temperature stay the same all night and day long so you have to find a window to have any idea what time of day it is.”

At the end of his 24 hours, Brian reported: “It may be dull, inside an airport, but there is often a real atmosphere and excitement. But next time I think I’ll take the train.”

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