Enduring Long Flights

[Riverkilt]

Thanks, great advice.

James, I've always flown with a Utilikilt Survival II before, just to undo the pockets at the TSA thingie and to put them in the seatback in front of me. They do crease up though.

Might do a USA Casual with vest in lieu of sporran with a Lands End cotton briefcase for "stuff."

I usually wear sandals to fly, take them off on board for foot comfort. Have been taking one of those neck pillow collar things and my own back pillow in case they're already taken on the plane. And water.

But appreciate the extra tips from you experienced travelers.

Just seems no matter what I take to occupy my time I still get friggin' bored and figity on a long flight.

Maybe I could score some Thorazine....

Ron

[Graham]

Hi Ron, most of it has been said, and I agree with the three basics 1.no booze, 2. lots 'o water, 3. Lots 'o stretching.

I rarely sleep on long flights, I get bored with movies and I don't read too well. I like using an ipod with lots of relaxing music on it.

Long distance flying is no fun anymore, what with all the paranoia, rules and queues, LA is the worst airport in the world, I will never go there again. Melbourne is one of the best.

Kilts, yes, USA casual is the best for me, no metal, thin and comfy, and I wear slip off sandals an T shirt.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Graham,

I still have memories of back in the 70s when I was transporting bodies around Orange County, California. Someone's grandmother had flown from Germany to visit Disneyland with the grandkids. She flew from Germany to New York City, then to John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Then got in a cab and rode to Disneyland. When she got out of the cab she fell over dead in the Disneyland parking lot from a clot. She'd been seated some ungodly number of hours. Was a sad pick up. Family went from expecting to have fun with her to making arrangements to get her ashes back to Germany.

Don't wanna throw a clot before they get the lai on me...do they still do that?

Ron

[Splash_4]

Hi Ron, I am getting ready to start a 22 hour flight to return home to the USA. Do what I did on the way over. Get up every hour or so and go flirt with the flight attendants. They love the attention, especially if you take the time to listen to them.. Some of the horror stories are quite entertaining!

[Sean_the_Kilted]

I fly from Germany to the states about once or twice a year and its always boring. A few tips :

1.Bring lots of reading material; both books and magazines you can just flip through
2.Try to sleep as much as possible. Ear plugs and a eye visor can help
3.Watch the movie if you can't sleep
4.Chat with your neighbor if he or she is friendly
5.If you want to stand up and streach alot get an aisle seat so you can get out easliy. If you think you will be able to sleep, get a window so that your neighbor doesn't have to wake you to get up.
6.Make sure you bring a sweat shirt or something else warm. It will be hard to sleep if you are cold.
7.Bring a few of your own snacks
8. Audio Books on your IPOD and/or CD player. I used to use this one for long solo car rides and you get caught in the story and time goes by quicker. You can get audio books on cd from most local libraries which you can then rip to MP3 on your computer and then transfer to your IPOD or other MP3 player. Comedians standup routines are also good.

I know most of these are nothing new, but those are my 2 cents. Good luck.

[Moosedog]

Ron,

There's a little book called "Airplane Yoga," I think that has good moves to do from your seat to help avoid cramping and clot formation.

If you can't find saline nasal spray, some Carmex or Vaseline up you nose helps keep nasal passage from drying out. Just squish it up in there with your finger. Sorry for the graphic description.

USAK Casuals rock for flying.

I always wear sandals and am usually way too hot, but have discovered on some recent flights a nasty draft of cold air at my feet, so I always bring a pair of lightweight wool socks in case. I just can't get to sleep if my feet are cold.

Moosedog

[Bugbear]

Yoga...

* Oops, Moosedog, I just saw your post... Guess great minds think alike.

And now that I think about it regular yoga with the whole legs over the shoulders and all would be quite entertaining on a plane... LOL!...

[Coemgen]

My dad practically flies for a living (systems security consulting - gets jobs everywhere, Boston, Philly, London, Brussels, Sydney, etc.). He tells me that the secret is "1: Lots of books; 2: an iPod, with sound blocking headphones; 3: Lots and lots of water*; 4: Nasal spray; 5: Get up and walk around every once in a while; 6: Get an aisle seat."

Personally, I've never had jet lag, but I imagine that spending a day or two prior to the flight on the time zone of your destination might help a bit.

* we almost always fly Southwest, and the water is complimentary. Otherwise, bring an empty bottle and fill it at a drinking fountain after going through security.

[Arlen]

O.K. Here's what I do for all of my trips to the U.S and back.

Stay up late.
Wear a kilt.
As SOON as I am allowed to book my seat online I check in and book an emergency row seat.
These usually have a good bit of legroom and all you have to do is open the door for everyone if the plane crashes.


Enjoy your trip!

[davedove]

As SOON as I am allowed to book my seat online I check in and book an emergency row seat.
These usually have a good bit of legroom and all you have to do is open the door for everyone if the plane crashes.

Whenever you have an emergency row seat, you are always asked if you would have an reservations about opening the door in an emergency. I have always told them I had no problems and that I WOULD get the door open.

I like that row of seats as the one thing that always bothers me is legroom. I have noticed that American has just a little bit of extra leg room in many of their planes. It's only an extra inch or two, but it makes so much difference.