The question was asked what we did the last time. On the way to Europe we were upgraded to first class so we had the little personal video systems and it was a overnight, so we drank the free booze and watched movies (10 to choice from).

The way back was coach class, I was bored stiff. The two movies where the worest I had ever seen. I actually was praying for the food so I would have something to do!

It was the longest 8 hours of my life!

Tell people you are a massage therapists and offer 10 minute mini massages for 10 bucks..is that allowed??I think I might do that and pay for my trip..yeah baby??

Lots of great ideas! We fly from Minneapolis to Detroit and the to Frankfurt. It is an overnight flight.

Keep the ideas comming! I am surprised that there is no one suggesting laptops? PDA or IPOD? Electronic book?

take ambien....

become members of the mile high club?

I take my PDA with two Audible books in case I can't sleep. Usually, I eat and have a glass of wine and a mild sleep aid. But, you never know if sleep will come, take the PDA in case.

I was wondering when "other" activities would be listed. Lets keep it "G" please.

has anyone ever given massages, what a great idea especially when muscles need to be kneaded during long flights, I am not certified but i know how to massage, what a great way to earn a few bucks, huh??

one word:

drink.

I usually bring a book I want to read but one my friend in Provence would like and leave it with her, I watch the film and after awhile I can nap with the help of a few drinks.

I recomend getting loaded and assaulting the flight staff. That amuses you and all the other passengers.

Failing that, squirm, kick the seat in front of you, complain loudly about everything and go to the batroom every five minutes.

I am usually to excited to sleep and from the west coast it is a LOOONG flight with two plane changes. I leave at 2:45 pm and arrive on the next day at 4:30 pm. Even with the time change it is just a long time in transit. I have almost no patience when I fly. I don't even have the attention span for a book. So I buy and borrow a lot of magazines and then leave them like a trail of breadcrumbs across the ocean.

Or you could drink.

Coldwar - you took my suggestion.

Drink and read, that's how I make it through.... last summer, I was lucky enough to sit next to a young MP who was heading back to Afghanistan - we drank and giggled like a couple of kids all the way from Boston to Frankfurt.

These type of posts make me giggle...we have to travel for up to 24 hours to reach Europe from Australia.
What I do to keep my self amused is I practice my italian with my pet kangaroo, I re cork my hat....I wrestle with my pet crocodile..a la Steve Irwin...

Two words: Drink wine ;-)

- Reading
- Writing
- 'Rithmatic (finished taxes yet?)
- Mile high club (sex)
- Xanax or Valium (drugs)
- Headphone listening (rock & roll)
- Watch the onboard movies
- Watch the person across the aisle
- Turn on light and cast shadow puppets onto the bald spot of the reclining gentleman ahead of you while adding amusing voices (stage whispered)

- Or just sleep.

I wish I'd read some of these suggestions before my last trip! Going over to London (a night flight on a USAirways airbus) seemed interminable. I'm sure one thing that added to this aspect is the rushing around before the trip to get everything done before it was time to depart. So, exhausted before the trip began. Still....we got lucky. Although we were seated in the middle section of 4 seats, the flight was not full. After takeoff, we were told we could move around and that 2 seats by a window were available. The other 2 people in our row took those, leaving me with a luxurious three seats to stretch out on (there was no fight for them...my companion was happy with his music & book)& sleep after dinner & one movie. Had I not been able to sleep, I would have joined the excercise group in the rear of the plane where there was some space.

Coming home was a breeze. Morning flight. Just seemed to pass very quickly & bore no resemblance to the trip eastward. I have no idea if this would always be the case.....

The last time that we flew on an Airbus 330, it had individual videos in the seatbacks in coach. They really do make all the difference. It's just not the same when you have to make do with a bad Sandra Bullock film on an overhead screen six rows away.

missypie and mcgeezer, my husband is in that same club! Throws me off kilter, every time.

areinert,

I suggested carrying an ipod (see 6th reply)...weren't ya listening?!

"take a walk outside" -- I'm laughing out loud here. They barely let you walk to the loo these days!!

Let's see -- grab the seatback of the person who has reclined into your airspace every now and then and let it snap back. Recline your seat back full and snarl when the person behind you asks if you can bring it back up for meal service. Refuse to put your window shade down when asked. Drink too much and talk loudly to anyone who will listen even if they are seven rows back. When you are in the aisle sit on someone else's armrest. Check your overhead luggage regularly to see if it has shifted -- this is particularly effective when you are in the middle or window seat. Bring on your own, highly spiced and sloppy food. Belch and fart after eating -- be sure to spray yourself with a strong perfume -- and do one of the following: pick your nose, scratch your pubic area often or do your nails/clip your nose hairs.

If you do all of this religiously the trip should fly by in no time.