Well, I must say I am THRILLED that my post has gotten this must attention, even if someone of it is a little negative!

Yes, what I meant was, instead of taking the day off from work, sleeping in, packing and starting to worry about the flight, changing my watch as soon as I boarded and then getting stressed that I was still awake and it was already 1 AM in Germany, I followed my usual morning routine, even going to work, and as a result built up no anxiety about the flight or my ability to sleep. By not changing my watch, I kept my regular routines going and was sleepy as usual right on time. Oh, and by the way, even though I know I was sound asleep for five hours, my husband says he asked me if I wanted water about halfway through the flight, I drank a glassful, and went right back to sleep.

My point is simply that while we're always looking for ways to avoid jet lag, maybe we're overlooking the obvious - our regular routines.

Thanks for amplifying your original post, Postal. Makes much more sense now! I don't think the majority of us were bashing you, just really confused by what made the difference.

Do I get some sort of a prize for getting it right? Actually, it made sense to me the first time I read it, and I only became unsure of my interpretation after reading all those posts from other people saying they didn't get it. So the moral of the story is....

I am concerned about the person whose feet do not reach the ground. It must be difficult to walk. Do you ride a small bicycle?
Luckyerthanthou

O, luckyerthanthou, I am having a good chortle!

To Postal--thanks for the clarification. I also would like to add that if a "Fodor Good Sport Award" existed, you would deserve it for your gracious and totally non-defensive response to the posts!!!

I agree with socialworker--good on you, Postal! I understood immediately. I honestly think if I got up at 4:00!!!, went to work and then caught the plane, I would be ready to crash, too.

MarshaL and Janis, I take a pretty solid roll-y tote on board, and as soon as the plane takes off, I take it out from under the seat and prop my feet up on it. Of course, it helps to have bulkhead, exit row or (natch) first-class seats to have the room to lay it down.

luckier than thou, you are really funny!

Another shortie here - at 5'2" my feet frequently don't reach the floor either. I stash my backback/tote under the seat in front of me and then put my feet on the bag. Not that I sleep on the plane but at least it's not as uncomfortable. That's why I do not like bulkhead seats - no place to put a bag in front of me. Which is too bad, as my 6'2" husband always needs a bulkhead/exit row to survive a long flight.

Re: Ambien. I've taken it on several recent red-eye flights and it does help more than any OTC medication or trick I have tried before. After taking a couple (one does nothing for me) I can get about 4 hours which is way better than none. There's a little bit of grogginess first thing after you wake up, but it goes away pretty quickly and the rest of the day is unaffected.

I can NEVER sleep on the plane. I don't always sleep that great at home, either, and sometimes take Excedrin PM. That is great for sleeping, but I feel hungover most of the next day. I'm tempted to try Ambien on the plane (but don't want to get addicted to that at home!) - but am afraid of the hangover effects, which might be worse than the jetlag. Does Ambien affect any of the rest of you negatively? I also take melatonin periodically, which works well for me, too - but haven't tried it on the plane. I'm so wide-awake on the plane, I'm afraid nothing will work- and then will feel worse for not sleeping that stuff off.

And Postal, I'm so glad you figured out what to do - sure wish I could.

Thanks for explaining, Postal. I swear I never would have figured that out. When you said "I normally get up at 4 AM, etc. I thought you meant normally when you fly, not normally when you don't, so I couldn't figure out what was different from your regular flying routine. Now it makes more sense.

Meanwhile, I have my own method to help me sleep on a plane. Regardless of what the experts say, a couple of Scotches, some wine with dinner, and an after dinner drink, and I'm out like a light until we land.

AbbyDog: You're story about falling asleep during dinner was funny! I think I am desperate enough to give AMBIEN a try.

Patrick: Alcohol never works for me. I end up sleeping poorly and being EXTREMELY DEHYDRATED on the plane, to make things worse!

I'll readily admit alcohol works differently for different people. My partner gets more awake and wound up the more he drinks. Give me a couple, and I'm content to curl up and sleep.

When we flew to New Zealand our doctor gave us prescriptin sleeping pills. We were both wide awake the entire flight. I foolishly followed the old rules about no alcohol.

Being extremely tired before you get on the flight is definitely helpful. Last year I had an 8:00 am flight to Italy from the west coast. I only got 1 hour of sleep the night before because of a last minute minor family emergency. I slept almost every minute of both flights (had to change planes). I arrived in Rome at about 11:15am ready for a fun day, and was the only one in my group that suffered no jet lag at all.

I have never been able to sleep on a plane. I have a medical condidtion where I cannot take any meds to help me and Alcohol makes me sick if I drink while flying. So I am out of ideas. I also am short and feet do not reach the floor when I sit, so I put them on my bag.

Where does one get those neck pillows by the way?

tledford's comment about getting on the plane tired sure works for me. My last two trips to Italy I was exhausted and consequently I was able to sleep a good portion of the flight. Generally I cannot sleep while flying.

Regarding Ambien: I have a presc. for it and will be trying it soon but is it really true you cannot drink alcohol when taking Ambien? Would love to have a glass of wine on the way to Ireland....(but I am prepared NOT to if need be)...
Shadow

since you have a prescription -- shouldn't you be asking your doctor or pharmacist that question?

Not a scientific statement here, but I'm a firm believer that no doctor or pharmacist would ever say "yes" to drinking alcohol with almost any medication. It is a matter of "protection" if nothing else, not unlike the long lists of "possible side effects" listed on any medication. I think Shadow is asking more what others' personal experience has been.

I say this because for years I have taken a drug for gout and for the past year an insulin enhancer for diabetes, and both clearly state "do not take with alcohol". Yet I do, with no ill effects, in fact when I have an evening drink, my blood sugar is always lower the next day.

Ooops, I forgot the most important part. Even my doctor at the Cleveland Clinic has said "off the record" don't worry about a drink in the evening, despite the warnings on the labels.