annetti

THANKS EVERYONE for you help!! I'm off in a couple of hrs, with a couple bottle of waters, magazines, several books I've started, my notebook to start recording my trip (for me it starts when I lock the door to my house), maybe some cards (Suze, I'll ask the people around me if the shuffling botthers them!); a walkman, socks to throw away after the trip, (couldn't find the pillow and did not have enough time to pursue it -- a diappointment, a fleece jacket so I can avoid the filthy airline blanket and probably a sleeping pill at one point since after our ten hour flight, we have to hang around the airport for another 3 hour flight. But, I will pace myself and I know in general time goes very fast. This, too shall pass. Thanks everyone again.

beth23

Mary Fran's suggestion about puzzle books is a very good one. You can buy those books in the airport--they have puzzles, brain teasers, logic games, etc. and I also bring along audio books; I find it very soothing to be read to.

suze

annetti-- it wasn't ME who complained about the shuffling of cards! i strive to ignore sights, sounds, smells(!), and the irritating behaviors of others around me- since getting annoyed doesn't fix anything~ ya gotta get that zen/peace frame of mind thing going. have a safe flight and a GREAT trip.

igemini48

Hello
why no one mentioned an audio books for thouse who does not like read on the plane...and you can close your eyes as well when listenning it...also for thous who is not comfortable taking sleeping pills-valerian capsules(someone mentioned them) or Unisom over the counter will do the same job as Tylenol PM does. Setting your watch to a time of your destination helps to easy overcome jett log...and I wish I could have lop top with me to read Fodor's talk...hehehehe
Going to Italy in August...happy travel to me and everyone..

gracieb

I always pack pillowcases with high thread count to put on the hotel bed pillows. A touch of home I enjoy. This last trip I put them in my carryon. Used one for the airline pillow. Used another stuff with my coat for a pillow for my friend. I also carried a thin Fleece throw that we both used on the plane and several times on the trip. Just bought another at Target for $5 (on sale from $15).
Someday I'll splurge and buy cashmere versions to take on the plane!

Astaroth

Couple of suggestions:

Aisle Seat: So that you can get up and walk around whenever necessary.

Mineral Water: Buy a large bottle of this before boarding. It helps to hydrate you and saves you the pain from unhelpful attendants.

Saline Spray: To hydrate cracking skin

Bring Your Own Snacks: For chewing slowly, and again to prevent glares from unhelpful attendants.

Reading Materials: No explanation needed. Audio or visual.

Knit, Crossstitch etc: As per like games

Get raw*: Forget about hygience temporarily and shed your footwear. Even when walking on the aisle.

Nail Polish* : You can easily spend an hour doing up your nails.

Facial* : It is amazing how bright the restroom lights could be. You can spend an eternity squeezing every blackhead you have in there.

Shampoo*: You can actually manage this by using a plastic bottle, albeit carefully.

Dental*: Again, you can give yourself the most thorough dental floss you ever had.

* Possibly questionable.

gracieb

Oh gross!!!! An hour doing nails? Flossing? Squeezing blackheads? And you are worried about glares from flight attendents. What about your poor seatmates. I pray I never have to sit next to you on a flight!

You ARE kidding, right?!?!?!

Astaroth

GracieB: I mean in the restroom. Just try to avoid the "glares" of the people waiting outside when you emerge.

Barstamp

Keep legs exercised to prevent DVT (blood clots). They can happen to anyone. Travelsmith & Magellan have some good exercise and comfort products to help with you flight. Drink bottle water only. Get a u-shaped pillow that will adequately support your neck.

craisin

Once, on a verrry long flight, I saw this middle-aged lady just whiling the hours away with a coloring book. I thought that was a good idea. I think I'll try that on my next trip.

Also, I find that buying used books at local libraries is good so you won't feel guilty leaving it behind on the plane. They have a pretty decent selection and their prices range from 25cents to a dollar, or rarely, 2 dollars.

For dry hands, I like to use the Neutrogena Hand Cream (the Norwegian Formula).

tledford

Staying in the bathroom for a long time on a flight is rude. On flights, there are many people who have waited a long time for the turbulence to end, the cart to go by, their aisle seat neighbor to wake up, or the flight attendant to pick up their meal. Children also have a very hard time waiting.

bbib

Ear plugs are a must - you can guarantee if you don't take them you will be near to Mr or Mrs ad-jabs, a distressed baby or the lads going away on holiday together.

I also take flight socks, a neck pillow, antiseptic wipes, toothbrush and paste and lots of water... those diddy 15ml water tins they dish out are good for nothing. I take my own snacks too - rather partial to barley sugars myself.

A good book is always handy, if sleep avails.

What I would love to have is a mini personal dvd player - to watch movies relating to my destination. I would have loved to watch Thelma and Louise on my ten hour flight to phoenix from London. Hey - ho!

pears43

Here's an idea for those who like knitting , needlepointing, etc, on a flight--to avoid the security hassle of scissors, bring a dental floss container--it has that little cutter thing you can use to cut thread. I did that on my last flight without incident.
As a veteran of many New York-Sydney flights (30 hours door-to-door, including 14 hours nonstop West Coast to Sydney) I agree with most of the suggestions above, but I vote for the window seat, as it's easier to lean against and get some sleep, despite the inconvenience of leaping over other passengers to get out (I've learned to nimbly climb over using the armrests).
If, like me, you have some weird genetic makeup that makes you impervious to Ambien and Tylenol PM (Tylenol PM used to work, but now has the opposite effect on me) you could try prescription lorazepam (generic Ativan). No matter how long the flight, I can't sleep without chemical aid, and that works for me.
Also agree with inflatable neck rest, lots of water and no alcohol, sleep mask, and lately I've found the need to wear support hose to prevent swelling (those Dr Scholl's flight socks sound great!)
Yes, I once got upgraded to first class from LA to NY--what bliss! Reclining bed, champagne in flutes, filet mignon, choice of videos on my own little screen. Reminds me now of that Seinfeld episode!

Judyrem

Pears, I am like you when it comes to Ambien and Tylenol PM,,,,isn't awful? I agree with the tranquilizers thing. I take Zanax... if I want to sleep for little bit. It does not work through the whole flight.

SuzieC

LOL, this tread is a good happy one.
I agree with Suze...but amended as per StCirq, I'll drink wine, not big on drugs.
Except for, the nose hydrator sprayer is a must...
And for me, that's the final time when I make my concise little notes and rip out pages of travel books that pertain to where I going, etc., filter through the saved forum notes, make sure I have the address for the hotel, etc... to have in my purse (that is the size of Guam...)

BlueSwimmer

I want to second igemini's recommendation of the herb Valerian. It is very mild: it does help put you in the frame of mind for sleep, without knocking you out (which I hate). I like SleepyTime Extra tea from Celestial Seasonings- but they also have capsules. I wonder if flight attendants will give you hot water to make your own tea?

Please, no nail polish or remover on the plane!!! Remember, we are all breathing that same air for the whole flight.

I usually don't do crossword puzzles, but my DH and I take a book of old NY Times puzzles and pass it back and forth until we finish a puzzle. Less involving than a book, but fun.

igemini48

Hi Blue.
You can take 2 caps of Valerian, it's absolutely harmless, back home(Europe )we bath babies in a water where valerian herb was boiled and cooled down the proper Temperature before they bed time-they sleep like an angels...
To all who is so hard on plain pilows and blanket-I'm sure they are washed after each fligh..are you concerned as well about your pillows and blanket in the hotels? We all travellers here, No?
I remember posting of a Lady who was serious about shlepping her own bed shits on the trip. I think it's too little too much. So forget about it and concentrate on your destination point.
About seattings-no matter where you seat it's uncomfartable-or you should climb over someone or they will be climbing over you. I prefer seats on the first row where usualy mothers and babies seat. I'm always caring ear plugs with me, so crying babies-()wont bother me.
Take it easy folks..travel and be safe.

igemini48

...An error..I made a sad face not a happy...
It's sad when babies cry..

Kavey

Igemini, the idea of someone "shlepping her own bed shits" made me laugh, though I'm sure it's just a typo for sheets!

I'd like to second the "no, no, no" to the suggestion of settling into the toilets to wash hair, squeeze zits (uugh) or whatever the heck else was listed. Show a little courtesy to other passengers, please! Last month I stood waiting outside the single working toilet in my section (the second one broke during the flight) for over half an hour waiting for someone to come out. From his wet hair on exiting I'm sure it was not a problem with his digestion that kept in there quite that long. I fully agree with a brief freshen up, brushing teeth, washing one's face etc but let's not try and take over the bathroom for the entire flight!

Thanks folks for many excellent suggestions!

CarolA

I cannot imagine trying to wash my hair in that sink! YUCK!

My best suggestion is to buy a nice sleep mask. I have silk one that came scented with Lavender. The Lavendender has worn off, but the mask is still very comfortable. I forgot it on my most recent trip and I really miss it!