HOW TO COPE ON THAT LONG LONG TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHT TO CHINA.

My best tip for something to while away the time is . . . a sleeping pill. On certain flights we take one after the meal.

Also bring eye patches, earplugs, and sports socks (so you can remove your shoes and walk around the cabin).

We live in Shanghai, so we do the transpacitic flight quite frequently. If you love to read (and read quickly) and travel a lot, you may want to consider investing in an e-book. I read very quickly, so I can go through 2-3 novels on a long flight. The e-books are great because not only can you store 10 regular books on one e-book, but it's also backlit subtly so that you can read throughout the flight without disturbing other passengers. I LOVE it, but they are a bit expensive.

The x-ray tapes should not harm regular cassette tapes. They also have audio books on CD, so you could play them on a portable CD player as well.

Frank -

Have to agree with above.

Zolpidem (I think the brand name is Ambien) is a blessing.

We eat, possibly watch the first movie they show and then take a pill. Actually, a half is enough and we're out for about 4-5 hours. If needed, we take the other half and we're in Asia before you can say boo!

Lynn

I find bringing a laptop is great. I went to Vietnam, Tokyo, Hongkong with a laptop. Ofcourse you need to make sure the airplane you're going has plugs to recharge your laptop. Boeing 777 has them at a certain seats. You must request for those seats in advance and have a converter for the laptop. I had games, DVD, trip diary, work (you might hate to hear this, but there're misc. items that you could never get done.. this is it). I even put in copies of books, documentations to read. It's great.. BTW.. I'm hooked with computers, but not a nerd !!! Books are always great .. before computers. See! I'm not a nerd.

Am told JetLag, a homeopathic remedy is great! have used it and pleased. Can be bought in health food store or through magellans catalogue. Good luck.

I absoutley hate to fly anything over a couple of hours, but my husband works on the other side of the world so I have flown many times to see him and devised a little plan that makes things easier. YES a sleeping pill and/or a vallium is a must. Request a bulkhead, bring a carryon hard case and prop it under your legs as soon as dinner is over - you will fall asleep much easier with your legs up. Water, water, water - bring at least two large bottles, you can never drink enough (just make sure you have downed a 1/2 gallon way before dinner and visit the loo 1/2 hour before you plan to sleep. Eye pads, ear plugs, socks, moisturiser, light sweatpants and t-shirt, and I have even brought my own pillow. A drop of essential oil on a tissue is lovely (Bodyshop) either to calm you or perk you up at the end of the trip. Facial scrub, moisturizer, eyemask (ask for a glass of ice and pop it in there) toothbrush & paste, and believe it or not, I have even taken a sponge bath standing on a towel in those tiny bathrooms - do this during a meal when bathroom is free - with some really fresh shower gel, bring a light towel for yourself (you can wipe up easily after you with paper towels). This all probably sounds off the wall but I HAVE to do it. I never had a problem anywhere with my film through the x-ray machines yet in any country. Good luck & enjoy your trip; I go to Hong Kong next month. Getting the horrors and setting up my plan of action already!

Hi, Lots of good advise here. I agree that the sleeping pill thing is a good thing. I just returned from 3 weeks in China etc. and it was the first time I took such a long flight. Take a neck pillow, ear plugs and eye mask if you can stand one, I can't. But the rest of the ideas are great. Also socks. You will want socks also if you tour any of the Temples where you have to remove your shoes. It is good to have socks to put on before going in. Read a while and then when you eat, take a pill and go to sleep. It was the first time I have ever taken one and it was great. Coming home the plane was not crowded at all. I had 5 seats. After the last meal (they fed us 4 times) I took a sleeping pill and laid down and slept about 6 hours. You'll need it. Have fun and good luck!

i am surprised that so many veteran travelers would advise you to use drugs on a long distance flight. i live in asia and have made the flight across the pacific some 100 times and i would NEVER recommend sleeping pills, valium or any other drugs. you just don't know how your body will react to medication at 40,000 feet and mid ocean is not the time to find out. i have seen several people become very ill and even emergency landings from people experimenting with different meds. don't do it!

the key to surviving is variety -- do it all: watch the movies, eat, sleep, read books, read magazines, do puzzles, knit, walk around, write your memoirs. it's boring as all get out, but if you keep a positive outlook you'll get through it.

Sleeping pill is good for me - check with your doctor if you are nervous.

I take a Dramamine every six hours. It allows me to get sleep without totally knocking me out, as well as ensuring my stomach will not suffer any motion-related ill effects. I usually don't get much sleep the night before a trip which also helps.

Ample reading material is also a must for me. That Skymall catalog doesn't cut it on a 14 hour flight.

I also support the water advice. I avoid caffeine, alcohol, and salty foods and make sure I have access to water, juice, or 7-Up at all times.

If you can do it, upgrades to business class also make a world of difference.

Have a great trip,
j.

Hi Again Frank,

I have just been reading the posts and I had written you one earlier. I stand by what I said but you know everyone's system is different. The best advice is to speak with your doctor about sleeping pills before you go if that is what you are considering. I did talk to mine and used just the one on the way over and one on the way back. For me it worked great. I would do it again. But, do check. My sister in law could not sleep when we arrived and she took them for a couple of nights. I did not find the need. But, as I said everyone's system is different. You can only do so much on that long flight to keep busy as you are very contained. It is boring to say the least. I had not planned on taking one but had asked the doctor about it before hand and he suggested it was okay for me to do. When I was so restless and could not sleep I did take one and it helped. Do ask however! Good luck and enjoy! I have just gotten my pictures back and what memories I have.

Take two Melatonin and hope to goodness sakes that no one is sitting on the plane next to you. Sleep! Then get up and exercise near the bathroom. Read Lonely Planet so you can get so excited about your trip, again.

Frank -

Like Lizz, I stand behind my recommendation about the sleeping pill.

Naturally, I would think any reasonable adult would check this with his doctor or already know that it's fine for him to do. No person should just take a medication because someone told them to. I would highly recommend you check into the Zolpidem. It's relatively new and has been getting recognition because there are almost no side effects and no "groginess" afterward.

If you've never been on a 12 hour, you have no idea how boring it is. It may not seem like a big deal to tack on 3-4 hours after you already went 8-9 but trust me, those 3-4 hours will be the longest in your life! Much better to sleep most the way if you can.

I'm 34 and had never, ever taken a sleeping pill before. I'm the type of person who only takes an asprin if I really, really get a headache. I was just so tired of that flight that last year, we got some Zolpidem before our trip and I was so glad. I'll never fly overseas without it from now on.

Lynn

Frank,
Travel Scrabble is a great way to pass the time. We (wife & I) played about 4 games going and three on the way home. The game is an easy carry on and has grooves to keep the letters from sliding around. John

Hi Frank:

I just returned from my first trip to China 2 days ago. I found that my trip was so long: 30 + hours each way with layovers, that I was too tired to concentrate on the more scholarly book I brought. Try light reading.

And, be warned, the jet lag coming back to the US is MUCH worse than the jet lag you feel when you go to China from the US. It did take me 7 days to feel "normal" in China, but during that week, I didn't slow down at all. {For perspective, I am in my 30s; I understand the jet lag gets harder with age}.

Have a GREAT TRIP! CHINA is WELL WORTH THE LONG FLIGHTS and JET LAG!!!!

A Fellow Traveller,
CYNTHIA

The above posters have some great advice for the long flights. While I agree with the suggestion to wear a pair of socks on the flight, be careful about the shoes that you bring on the flight. I find that my feet often swell up on these long flights and I'm grateful for lace up shoes that I can adjust to accomodate my larger than normal feet.

I found this thread very interesting for our coming flight to China. Could you keep suggestions coming in the way of interesting games (not electronic). i never thought of Scrabble and I believe there are board games made for travelling. Please let me know if you've found something special.

Interestingly, I posted almost the same question on another board.

Thanks.

I'm currently in China and found that sleep deprivation for 2 days before the trip was very helpful. Simply take a 3 hour power nap on each day and you will hit the ground running because you will certainly sleep on the plane. Also a muscle relaxer or sleeping pill is helpful so you get a sound sleep while in the air. I realize that folks will think it is unhealthy but if you want to prevent jet lag it certainly works. Once over here have a few sleep inducers with you so if you have a hard time sleeping you can assist your body. A few nights of sleeping on China time and you will have your body turned around.

Has anyone used an inflatable cushion you lean against in an airline seat called "first class sleeper"? I bought one and tried it on a shorter flight and it seemed comfortable but dont know whether I want to take it to china. It rolls up to 6x8 inches.

On a transpacific flight, you need to sleep, whether drug induced or not. Your body needs to get used to the complete time switch, day is night over there and vice versa. So, it's a good idea to use the flight time for your body to adjust and sleep.

Everyone is different in terms of the east-west vs west-east adjustment. Personally, the west-east segment doesn't bother me and I can hit Asia with feet running, BUT, coming back...oooohh...I need about a week to adjust back.

I wear slipon Merrills which are my usual walking shoes. In the plane, I can slip them on and off easily. The idea of bringing some kind of socks to wear around the plane is a good one. In business and first class, these socks are usually handed out free. Along with a whole package of stuff, like eyeshades, toothbrush.

Some airlines, e.g. Singapore, provide a varied package of entertainment with the TV screen that each passenger has, even those in economy class. You can use your individual hookup to play games, watch a number of airline-provided movies, listen to music, get some news. If these are not sufficient, and I've found that the inflight entertainment package sufficient even for children, then you can bring your own computer - slip in a disc with your favorite movie, play your own favorite games, listen to your own favorite music, or even WORK (ugh!) on your own computer.

Ummm, or a book or two! Those old-fashioned ones made from paper!

Have fun! Time passes very quickly if you vary your activities - and drink lots of water as one poster has suggested!

Jason

Whether to sleep or not depends on your flight time. I usually leave LAX during the day and arrive in China the following evening. I try to stay awake for most of the flight so that I can fall asleep after I arrive that evening.

For work reasons, I have been flying across the pacific ocean four or five times a year for the last few years. And needless to say, as a frequent flyer, I have got my own way of dealing with it. My recommendation is very simple: fly Cathay Pacific. This is not just a compliment to their top-notch service and decent movie selection. What also makes it great is the schedule. For example, their planes leaving SF and LA are usually late at night. You get on, eat a light dinner, go to sleep, watch a movie and then it is breakfast time. 12 hours later, you land in HK at 6:30 am! It is like a very long and extended night but once you land in HK, there shouldn't be much jet lag. And even if you do, don't sleep on your arrival day. Go sight seeing and go to bed at night. The next morning, you should be fine.

I take 30-40mg of Valium and drink a few of those small bottles of red wine with my meal, then I wash it down with a couple of JD and cokes. This is guaranteed to ensure you sleep well and no one wakes you up climbing over to get to the toilet or if their kids start misbehaving.

I have taken tapes and CDs across the Atlantic with no ill effects.

UKUKUK suggestions on taking valium, wine and so on are kind of scary. Maybe one day he'll have such a good sleep he won't wake up. Seriously. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone especially at high altitudes.

But I am still interested in how to pass the time since we are leaving soon for China.

Frank, Too many cooks may be spoiling the broth but it's probably best if you just talk to your doctor about which sleep aid (if any)would be right for you. I take Ambien, my husband takes Valium, and neither of us would leave home without them - we do stick to just one wine or beer with dinner. I learned this the hard way - spoiling one vacation by not sleeping. Also, I agree with the late night flight reply. It's so easy to just take off, go to sleep, and wake up in the morning right on schedule. Make yourself as comfortable as possible and have a great time.

Folks, a small plea: let's get a bit of perspective into this. A trans-Pacific flight with food, drinks, movies, music and reading material on hand mightn't be exciting, exactly, but it's eminently survivable. As ordeals go in this world I've cetainly endured worse. What are we talking about here - 15 hours on an aircraft, give or take? My advice: forget the chemicals and be prepared to tolerate a little boredom and minor discomfort. Drink water, take a few walks, watch a movie, read a page-turner, doze. When you get to your destination, don't nap - stay awake and active until your normal bedtime rolls around. Then have a good night's sleep. Bingo, no jet lag.

IF POSSIBLE I SUGGEST FLYING FIRST CLASS. I KNOW ITS EXPENSIVE BUT ITS THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL ON VERY LONG FLIGHTS. I FLEW RECENTLY TO SINGAPORE FROM LONDON AND GOT AN UPGRADE FROM BUSINESS TO FIRST AND ITS UNFORGETABLE.
FULL FLAT BED , GREAT FOOD AND SLEPT FOR 8 HRS.

UKUKUK, That recipe should be enough to knock out the entire coach cabin. Not a bad idea, I guess, you'd have the place to yourself.
Seriously, alcohol and tranquilzers are a bad mix at any altitude.

Sleeping pills are a necessity. Don't leave home without them. You'll be grateful even for shorter intercontinental flights

Message to Frank,

My understanding of your question was you were looking for ways to while away time on a long flight, and not looking to knock yourself out. If this is true, have you received any good suggestions elsewhere I might find helpful. We take books, watch movies, do crosswords and so on as suggested by Oz, but other suggestions help. I used to take handwork but can no longer do it.

Have a good trip.