Aside from buying a newer version of the game so you don't have to download so many patches? Not that I know of.
They ALL float down here. When you're down here with us, you'll float too!
@Starflier
It usually doesn't take as long as it says. You should be in game in days, I mean hours! Oh, just forget I said anything ...
going on to 14+ hours now 
I am thinking maybe a lot of people are downloading for the training room, maybe that is why I am getting 23K/s. Well says 1 more hour to go! Then I can see which of my characters are still alive!
Dang man, that was a lot of patching. But you'll be all shiney and new when you get on. 
I wouldn't worry about which ones are alive, rather, I would worry about which ones need major overhauls due to all the game changes that have taken place since the last time you played.
Current favs: Champ: Frau Schmeterling-22 MM 50s: NOTW-Blaster, Cat-Girl Commando-corr, Queen of the Dawn-PB, NOTW-Def, Peterbilt-Brute, IcedTNA-Tank, Archilies-scrap, Mann Eater-stalk, Redemptive Soul-toller, Mt Fuji of A-Team-Tank, Hot Stuff Vale-Dom
My MiniCity
I don't remember it being this long before. Dying to get back in game and see my old friends from Next gen and everyone. Is there a way I can speed up this process?