After all the times I've set my watch to the time at my destination (usually Germany) as soon as I get on the plane, used neck pillows, soft blanket, etc., and jet lag has attacked with a vengeance when I've landed, I tried something new this time.

Normally I get up at 4 AM and leave for work at 5:30 AM, starting work at 6 AM. I'm always sleepy by 9 PM. So this time I did my normal morning activities, including working (for only five hours), and boarded the plane to Frankfurt at 6:15. After the meal and a movie (and a watch which told me it was 9 PM and time for bed), I fell sound asleep until my husband woke me up five hours later. I felt great and never had even a hint of jet lag.

Might not work for others, but it sure worked for me!

Sorry, I just don't understand what exactly you did differently this time!??

maybe a different husband?

LOL, Turtle Micheael. I'm with you two. I've read it twice. What's the "tip" on avoiding jet lag? Do nothing?

I don't get it either. The only difference I see in the two scenarios is that she didn't set her watch ahead.

Lucky lady to be able to sleep 5 continuous hours on a plane.

Another one who doesn't get it!!
I think she just went by her local time, but I do that too until I land.

Postal - I think lot of people do that. It perhaps works better for you because most of us probably don't go to bed that early or get up the next morning so early

Add me to the list of those who don't get the jist of the post. I have never slept for more than an hour on the plane. This time (2 weeks!) I am taking ambien, at my dr's suggestion. Hope it works!

OK, I DO get it. Normally she sets her watch ahead, so that after dinner it would have said 3 AM instead of 9 PM, and then she wouldn't be able to sleep. But since her watch said 9 PM, she was able to sleep and therefore avoided the jet lag.

OK, folks, I said I "get it", not that I understand it.

Come on, everyone. It is obvious. Her biorhythms don't depend upon what time it is; they depend upon what time it says on her watch. Maybe it will work for me. It's 8:00 AM where I live, but I think I'm gonna set my watch for 7:00 PM and go have dinner.

Yeah, I get it too...you eliminated jet lag by actually SLEEPING on the plane...now, if you could just figure out a way to make sure everyone ELSE does, too, I KNOW how we could make our money!

Vedette - LOL that was a riot.

I thought maybe the difference was that this time she went to work for part of the day before flying and maybe usually she doesn't. Note that she said that "this time" she went through her normal routine, including getting up early going to work. Maybe that made her tired so that she couldn't help falling asleep, even on a plane. Just guessing, though.

Leave it to some, whose poorly chosen words and writing style often causes angst and confusion, to throw the first stones at Postal. Threads like these are very revealing.

Postal, watch or no watch, if everyone could sleep on an overnight flight to Europe, no one would complain about being tired on the day of arrival and most would be able to stay up all day without that disastrous nap tempting interference with our body clocks.

Congratulations, you found a way to catch five hours of sleep, presumably in Coach. That deserves a pat-on-the-back rather than ridicule and criticism, which I would completely ignore.

A good tranquilizer and a small shot of Hennessy and a neck pillow works for me!!! I sleep away my fears....

At about 5'1, the worst problem for me has always been backaches from my feet not touching the ground. For our upcoming trip, I reserved exit row seats (more foot room) and bought a portable, foldable footrest from Magellans which has received mixed reviews on this site. Has anyone else tried it? When all is said and done, I'm sure that I still won't sleep at all.

I won't comment on the OP - since there has been enough bashing already and I'd just be piling on.

MarshaL: I am even a bit shorter than you and have the same problem. All of my taller friends can't seem to understand not being able to put your feet on the floor is as (or more) uncomfortable as having too little leg room.

I bought that foot rest several years ago and only used it two trips. It isn't light - has to be to stay in place. So it made my carry-on or hand bag heavier to schlepp through the airport.

And as soon as I fell asleep and wasn't concentrating on keeping the darn thing upright - I would either kick it over or it would slide forward under the seat in front and I'd wake up w/ a start.

In theory the foot rest is a great idea - but I found it more trouble than it is worth (and it isn't cheap either). Now I have fairly short legs even for my height - so maybe you will have a better experience w/ it.

Oh, how I miss the adjustable foot rests that used to be on most planes . . . . . .

It would be interesting if one or more of those people accusing the rest of us (I guess I'm one of those being accused) of slamming or criticizing, would instead explain what Postal did to avoid jetlag other than sleeping. Or was that it? I frankly didn't see any criticism, but most of us were merely asking for an explanation of what was different about this "method". Are you saying the "method" she's talking about was merely sleeping? If so, then yes, I'm all for sleeping to avoid jet lag also.

Hi Everybody!

Are there any side effects from using AMBIEN for sleeping? I am feeling kind of desperate since I NEVER can sleep on planes anymore!

Does AMBIEN make you groggy the next day? Is it anything like taking cold medicine?

Thanks for your input!

I took Ambien on my last flight to Italy. Within minutes, as I attempted to finished my dinner, I noticed I was bringing my fork to my forehead instead of my mouth. Next thing I knew I was asleep for about five hours. When I woke up (just in time for breakfast) I had none of the grogginess that plagues me for a day after taking benadryl. Amazing! I will definitely use it again, but it's suggested that you try it out at home to gauge its effect before you use it on a flight.