My first plane ride ever will be a seven hour flight to Paris! I'm a wee bit concerned about numerous things, including, but not limited to:will it hurt when my ears pop, should I watch for pick pockets on the plane, and how much carry-on should I bring? Any little hints and suggestioms from seasoned travelers will calm this white knuckled traveler! Also, should I dress for where I'm going, or for where I'm leaving? ie winter coat and boots? Help is needed!

Brace yourself, Amanda! Be prepared for a ton of suggestions and helpful hints in response to your query. To begin, see if your library has a copy of "White Knuckles" a book intended for the nervous or first time flyer. It'll answer many of your questions as well as any number you haven't thought of. Planes make a lot of strange noises in the normal course of events - retracting landing gear sound as if the bottom has fallen off the plane and your luggage is 40 miles is on it s way off shore from Halifax; retracting wing flaps are another source of terrifying noise if you're not prepared for it. Bring a liter bottle of water and drink it throughout your flight. It'll stave off possible dehydration, a not uncommon malady that usually strikes the day of your arrival in the form of jet lag. Don't drink any alcoholic beverages, to minimize the possibility of jet lag. Dress not for whence you came or whither you go, but rather for absolute comfort. Loose clothing, easily removed shoes. Periodically, get up and walk up and down the aisles to facilitate circulation in your legs and feet. Your airline will dictate the number of carryons. You should consider only one containing a change of underwear and socks or stockings in the event you go to Paris and your luggage goes on to Istanbul. Pack an inflatable pillow and eye shades to facilitate sleep (or at least rest). Pack some chewing gum to alleviate any ear pressure. Regarding pick pockets: I don't think they're a particular concern on board so long as you don't leave your purse lying about while promenading up and down the aisles or visiting the restroom. (My wife does not favor purses,handbags or fanny packs when traveling, they're too inviting to pickpockets. Consider a money belt large enough to hold your money, passport and credit cards and wear it under your clothing. <BR> <BR>Email me directly if you have any other questions, although I'm sure they'll be anticipated and answered by fellow posters.

Don't worry Amanda, you'll be fine. <BR> <BR>I haven't heard of pickpockets on planes, the cost of the flight probably deters most of them! <BR> <BR>I am a pharmacist so here is what I suggest when people are worried about ear problems. Take some Sudafed about an hour before boarding the flight, you can take either the 12 hour or the regular which typically lasts 4 to 6 hours (you could take another dose later if needed). I would also recommend bringing an OTC decongestant like Afrin (or the store brand) with you. It is especially helpful if you are very congested. A saline nasal spray is also nice since the air is very dry and tends to dry out your nasal passages quickly. Drink lots of water and juice on the plane, avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol which can dehydrate you. <BR> <BR>I always make sure I bring earplugs with me in my carry-on just in case people are talking/snoring/etc around me while I am trying to sleep. They also come in handy for noisy hotel rooms. <BR> <BR>You will probably be allowed only one carry on that must meet airline specifications. I would bring one small bag, I normally bring a small backpack. In it you should carry any medications, toiletries, a change of underwear, and anything else you couldn't live without for a day if your baggage is lost. <BR> <BR>My in-laws are taking there 2nd flight next month to Switzerland. Their first flight was last month to Arizona. I think they wanted to see what they were getting themselves into before the 8.5 hour flight. They were pleasantly suprised and it wasn't nearly as frightening as my mother-in-law had imagined. She had been worrying about the flight for months. So maybe you will find can find some great e-fare for a quick weekend jaunt that could help calm some of your fears.

<BR>You may wish to visit www.flyana.com. There is a wealth of information concerning air travel. Remember to bring some "activities" on the plane - book, CD player, knitting. While you will probably sleep en route, when you do wake up it's usually difficult to fall back to sleep.

Hi Amanda You have gotten advice from the best sources that post on these forums -- well informed, experienced practical folks who know well of what they speak. So you may treat the info as reliable and tested. <BR> <BR>That saline spray idea is a good one, but not many people do it. The water bottle idea is a good one too. On my last flight on KLM, I drank all the fluids (no caffeine)that were offered to me, so I did not use all of the water in my bottle. But it came in handy on the train later. <BR> <BR>The only items I think I can add are these: <BR> <BR>1. After arrival, get out in the sunlight before you head in for the evening because sunlight exposure helps reset the body's internal clock. (Of course this assumes a few items, e.g. that you arrive before dark.) <BR> <BR>2. When snoozing on the plane, or trying to, keep your seatbelt loosely fastened just in case you sleep through the landing. <BR>(And some other reasons.) <BR> <BR>3. Make sure you have your essentials: <BR>passport, money & related plastic, tickets, essential phone numbers, prescription sun glasses (if you wear them), and any prescription medicines. <BR> <BR>Believe me, you will be fine. There is nothing to it but to sit there and try to keep from being bored for 7 hours. <BR>My biggest enemy is fanny fatigue on those long flights. The "new" will wear off quickly even if it is your first flight. <BR> <BR>The worst part of any flight for me is getting to the departure gate at the airport on time!! I have more anxiety over getting there than I do anything else. I live about 2 hours away from Atlanta, and parking at Hartsfield is not for the faint of heart. And the facility itself is HUGE. <BR> <BR>

Amanda, Bah humbug to all the above. My wife and I travel to Europe twice a year on pleasure trips. On the outbound, I drink 5 to 6 of the little bottles of wine, have dinner (I appreciate food served at 33,00 feet) place my "quies" in my ears, my eyeshades over my eyes, inflate my neck pillow and slumber to our destination. On arrival, I assemble our bikes and off we go! It works for me, but to each his own.

I agree with the above. This is not that big a deal. Why carry water? They have it on the plane. Just take some ear plugs for sleeping, they do make a difference and an inflatable pillow, easily stowed later. Carry a change of clothes in a small bag in case your checked bags are delayed. Get a good book and go for it. All the medicine and sprays and water bottles and that stuff is a lot to lug on a plane! Also, get a seat as far away from the restroom as you can. The restroom is used off and on all night on those long flights and you will constantly be disturbed. I like an asile seat also so that I do not have to crawl over people to get out and in of my seats. If you are going with someone else book your seats with a seat in the middle. Hopefully they will not sell that seat as no one wants the middle. If they do sell the middle, you can always swap with the person in the middle to give him the window or aisle. This beats booking the middle and window to be together and then you are guaranteed someone will have the other seat. Good luck and remember: The plane ride is always forgotten because you had so much fun in Paris. <BR>

Hi Amanda - <BR> <BR>Wes is right on the money concerning airplane noises. Because it's your first time, be extra prepared to be hearing all sorts of strange noises. I've flown quite a bit (not as much as Wes but a decent amount) and I still don't like hearing those creaks and whatnot. Just put your faith in the pilot that he/she knows what they are doing. <BR> <BR>As far as the other advice, pretty much ditto. I would avoid alcohol and caffine just in case they overly dehydrate you. It may not be an issue for some but, in my experience, it's an issue for most. Definately drink lots of water/juice. We usually bring a few snacks like nuts or pretzels because it's a pain to go looking for the crew in the middle of the night when everyone is trying to sleep and you just have the munchies. <BR> <BR>Also, the pharmacist is right on as well. We always take a Drixoral (or whatever works for you) before boarding and take along nose spray. For us, the spray also helps if we end up somewhere where lots of people are smoking. In the States, we have different views about smoking. Over there, you may be at a restaurant where lots of people are smoking and the spray offers relief when you get back to the hotel. <BR> <BR>Definately bring something to keep yourself busy. We always try to sleep on long flights but it doesn't always happen. Bring the blowup pillow, eyeshades, and earplugs. <BR> <BR>As far as carry-ons, just take one (usually that's all they allow on international flights). In fact, depending on how long you're going, I would take one, and only that one. We travel very, very light and are always glad when we hit the stairs, cobblestones, etc and are moving from city to city. <BR> <BR>Side note: Take tons of pictures. The more candid ones the better. Those are how you remember places and people the best. You can always buy more film but you can't always recapture the moment. Don't scrimp on taking pictures!! <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

Amanda, be glad you don't live on the west coast. Our flights are a lot longer! I take lots of water because it's not always easy to get an attendant to bring you some if the flight is full and they are really busy. Also, I have been on flights where they actually run out! I also bring snacks such as fruit and bagels and most of the above mentioned items. The flight over goes faster because you have anticipation and tour guides to read! The flight back is the pits because vacation is over.....

Is this whole posting a wind-up? Is it for real? <BR> <BR>Amanda you are saying that you do not know what it will be like to be inside an aeroplane? One must assume you have never watched tv before. Oh be careful for those pickpockets dressed as flight attendants. Are you honestly saying that if you were flying from, say Alaska to Nairobi you wouldnt know what sort of clothes to wear? <BR> <BR>Wes I don't agree with your 'walking in the aisle' comment. People that do that are a pain in the you-know-where. Why the hell can't people sit still for 7 hours? You end up blocking the aisle for the attendant etc. <BR> <BR>Richard, you make an alarming comment about drinking wine and then cycling afterwards. It is possible, in fact fairly easy to be found guilty of being intoxicated in charge of a bicycle, I'm not kidding. It's also highly irresponsible as well. Dont drink and ride! <BR> <BR>I don't agree with taking numerous pictures - what's the point? If you are honest, pictures are really only interesting if there are people in them, not endless shots of the Sacre Coeur or whatever.

Tell me something Tony. Why do you attack people mercilessly who ask questions that strike you as naive? You were not born with the infinite knowledge you seem to know have. I am sure you asked a couple of dumb ones in the past. Are you attempting to control by intimidation? <BR>

Actually, Tony, sitting for 7 hours straight can be very unhealthy. One runs the risk of poor circulation and even blood clots in the legs, particularly pregnant women. Amanda, if you choose to take off your shoes during the flight, bring along a snug fitting, yet comfortable, pair of slippers; feet tend to swell on long flights. I agree with those who said bring along water. A bottle of water really isn't that big of an inconvenience to bring on the plane. That way, you will have your water supply without having to always ask.

Hey, Tony, I think you're very funny! and I agree with you about pictures..I leave the camera home. You only look at them a few times, and then what? bore your friends with them? BUT, I would bring water on flight and I do think an occasional walk is a good idea, just don't linger. As was mentioned earlier, <BR>seven hours isn't all that bad... <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

One other bit of advise about flying, be <BR>sure that you don't get stuck in the row <BR>near the restroom where the seats don't <BR>recline. Once I was on a flight that <BR>left at 1 am from Seattle to Minneapolis <BR>and got next to no sleep because the <BR>seat was so rigid.

One other bit of advise about flying, be <BR>sure that you don't get stuck in the row <BR>near the restroom where the seats don't <BR>recline. Once I was on a flight that <BR>left at 1 am from Seattle to Minneapolis <BR>and got next to no sleep because the <BR>seat was so rigid.

Thanks for the coming to my defence with Tony Bob. I try very hard not to belive what I see on T.V as it is almost 100% wrong. <BR> I really appreciate all the advice! I have been able to secure a window seat, and as I am traveling with a companion and the aisle is only 2 seats wide, I don't have to worry about climbing over people. I'm flying on Air Frances airbus (A310) and am leaving Pearson Airport (toronto) at 7 pm. This means that I get to Paris at 8 am. So let's hope I can get some sleep! <BR> It seems to be a unanimous decision to bring water, ear plugs and an inflatable pillow. All doable but, where to find the pillow? A drugstore maybe? <BR> I've heard about bringing the gum, but the nose spray is new... I'll definateky be bringing some, if not for the plane, but for the smoke overseas. <BR> As for the clothing, I meant more of where do I stash my winter coat when I get to the airport? I won't be needing it over there, but here, burr! In my luggage seams to be the best solutions <BR> Again thank-you to everyone who has responded. It's good to know others have fealt the same. I'll let you guys know how I did when I get back. Look for the heading "Back from Paris" around March 25. <BR> Thanks again! <BR> Amanda

Dear Amanda, <BR> <BR>I agree with those suggesting to bring water. You are not always on the same schedule as the flight attendants, and you drink the water on the flight, so their is nothing to carry with you when you arrive. I also drink a lot of water before I depart and in the earliest part of the flight. You hydrate your body well up front, and get those extra trips to the bathroom out of the way earlier on. I also take hand lotion and lip balm. <BR> <BR>I agree with those who like to bring something to eat, as your body clock will begin to get "off," and you may not care to eat the airline food. I like to bring fruit, nuts and chocolate. <BR> <BR>Bring warm socks or slippers and a sweater -- it gets cold up there! Make sure you find an airline pillow and blanket when you board. The plane is always hot and stuffy before you take off, but it gets quite cold later on. <BR> <BR>I like to keep my valuables in a money belt right from the start. I've never had any problems with theft on a plane, but it makes me feel more secure when I'm sleeping. Be very vigilent on trains about pickpockets, especially while you are still in the station. It is a common practice for pickpockets to walk through the train before it departs, steal the goods and hop off. I have been to Europe several times and was robbed once in such a way (lucky for me, the thief got nothing but credit cards, which were cancelled the next day) and once we had an attempted robbery during the night (always lock the door to your compartment--someone forgot after a trip to the bathroom.) In this case, I woke up in the middle of the attempted robbery, and found the thief poking through my mother's bag. Unfortunately for him, it was the bag my mother had her fruit and water in! <BR> <BR>The best travel advise is to use your common sense, and you will be fine. Having "survived" these two robbings, I am more both more careful and more relaxed. <BR> <BR>Things I like to include in my carry on: <BR>water, fruit, nuts, chocolate, books, a small booklight, slippers and a sweater, advil and any prescription meds, one change of clothing, toiletries and my camera. If I can wash up and change my clothes, my trip will go on even if my luggage is lost. I also pack my camera in my carry on, because I could not afford to replace it in Europe if my luggage were lost, and I would hate to be without it. As to people's advise about photos -- it's such a personal thing. For me, photos make the best souveniers. But I always buy some postcards for my photo album, because it is hard to get the "long shots" on most nonprofessional cameras. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time in Paris! <BR> <BR>

Amanda, winter coats are easily stuffed into the overhead bins. I dress for comfort and in layers because I tend to get cold on flights especially if I'm next to the window. Layering gives me more options. I get up a few times and walk or stretch a bit (12 - 16 hours is a LONG time). I put winter items like gloves in the outer pocket of my suitcase so they're hand when I land. (Just ignore Tony, he's a notorious wet blanket.)

Actually Dale, I prefer to think of myself as a realist. <BR> <BR>Bob , i don't think telling someone the dangers of mixing alcohol and cycling constitutes anything other than common sense, It certainly doesn't strike me as intimidation. <BR> <BR>Ilisa, once again I take your point BUT I can think of plenty of other occasions when people sit still for long periods of time. All I really meant was that when you get so many people milling about its an annoyance to others, not least the flight attendants. Let people do as they please on an aeroplane and you will have anarchy, just look at those Irish hooligans that were thrown off an Airtours flight from the UK to Montego Bay and had to stay in Virginia for three or four days. It's socially unacceptable. <BR> <BR>So Amanda, you reckon tv is almost 100% wrong. So then Clinton ISNT president, America lies somewhere off the coast of Europe and The Simpsons are real, yeah? Tell me, how can television misinterpret the size and shape on an aeroplane (airplane) ? <BR> <BR>Amanda, NASA went to the moon with less equipment than you are being instructed to take by some people. Just be sensible, that's the wet blankets advice.

I had refernce to Tony's response to the original question that got this started. <BR>The drinking and ridong was from another poster. <BR> <BR>I don't think TV prepares one for something that is real no more than a training movie of a jet airplane in the military prepares a new pilot for that first blast of a huge jet engine propelling a fighter down the runway and off the ground. Also, I don't think training films can simulate childbirth either. At least that is what my wife says.