I just read about this new service, Boarding, which helps stranded travelers connect with each other. To access the service, all you need is a public Twitter account.

To use the service, all you need to do is send a tweet that uses the hashtag #boarding and the airport code of where you are currently stranded. (Usually, this is a 3 letter code that defines the airport. You can get a list of airport codes here)

Anyway, so when you send a tweet like #boarding BWI, that means you’re stranded at Baltimore Washington International Airport. You’ll get a reply message that lists up to 100 other people who have tweeted the same thing within the past few hours.

Once you get this reply, you can @ message any of the people who might be in the area and suggest a spontaneous tweetup for coffee and conversation.

I think this sounds like a lot of fun, and I plan to try it the next time I’m in an airport longer than I’d like to be.

Have you used the service? What did you think?