Taking my first long flight (10+hours) and looking for hints to make the time "fly". I am not a good flier and have trouble sleeping on planes. Wondering if taking an OTC aide (ie. Tylenol PM), is a good or bad idea??? Don't want to feel groggy when I arrive.

A few things that have helped me when I fly:
One of those inflatable neck pillows. Helps keep your head from falling when you fall asleep (and thus waking you up!)
Keep hydrated and stay away from the wine with dinner (ok, maybe just a little wine)--limit caffeine
Does the Tylenol PM make you groggy at home? If not, then you might be ok on the flight--take it fairly early in the flight.
Soft ear plugs could help.
When you are awake, walk around the cabin or move your legs to keep away the deep vein thrombosis.
Sounds like you're headed for somewhere fun--have a great trip!

Tylenol PM works for me. Do try this out at home so you can judge for yourself.
Books on tape -listen on CDplayer or
Cassette player--works to help pass the time.(Most libraries have rental tapes)
I write letters-nice to do "non" e-mail for a change
Good book really helps.
You must keep well hydrated--it really makes a difference as to how you feel when you reach your destination.
AND that helps with trips to bathroom to prevent leg vein problems..
Have a great trip...

Regardless of what all the experts say, my best friend on long flights is Mr. Dewar's.

Thanks for the great advice, I'll try the Tylenol PM at home before since I'm so geared up for the trip that I'm having trouble catching zzz's already. We leave in 6 days!! Yipee!

Get a window seat. There is less disturbance than the others. Also, if available, a bulkhead seat.

Keith

Look around when you are getting settled on the plane and notice where the empty seats are. As soon as you can after take-off (before others beat you to it) make a beeline to a row of empty seats. Stretch out -- sleep!

My friends just came back from Spain and they said there was a great rush to get to the empty rows. They didn't know the rub on the way there but had it down for the trip back.

I've been told that Tylenol PM is Tylenol with an antihistamine in it. You could just take the antihistamine to have the same effect. They only last 4 hrs. so you will be fine.

Great advice here!

Definitely: neck pillow

and drink lots of water and nothing else.

In addition: if you like action/mystery type of books, take the Da Vinci Code or some other good book.

If you can: get a window seat or a seat over the wings (more stability).

Bon voyage!

Hi Fun2travel.

1)Keep that sign on name as a personal motto.

2) Get a window seat and find out what you are flying over before the trip departs. I would actually select the right side of plane if I were flying from NYC over the Grand Canyon towards California. Flight tracker.com could give you more info.

3) If you are going at night see if those Northern Lights will be on!!! I had this luck over the Atlantic in November but don't expect the captain to alert you. Not something I will forget anytime soon.

4) Sleeping aids are hit or miss. I have had good sleep aids put me out but the seats kept me from sleeping comfortably. That can be a bit tortuous, kind of like being shaken and awoken every time to nod off.

5) A good book will whisk through the hours just as good movie.

6) Liken your plane ride in your mind to you last long car ride. I just took a 6-hour car ride from Vermont to NYC over the weekend. I read a great book and I was surprised when at what seemed like the beginning of the trip the driver told me we were 1.5 hours away from the city and not 4. I did not even notice the landscape change. Nick Hornby did that for me, a light fun read.

7. Where are you going????

Melatonin works for us, both in-flight and once we land, in order to speed up recovery from jet lag.

Many long-haul flights now have video displays showing the plane's location on a map. It can be frustrating to watch it crawl along, but also fascinating if you can see outside and make out landmarks.

Agree with lots of the above - neck pillow, good book to read. A portable cd player works for me too --find it easier to fall asleep listening to some favorite music, than the engines (I'm not a good flyer). Also a couple glasses of wine works too. If you're into computer games, Walmart sells a bunch of hand held ones for around $10 - Tetris, Wheel of Fortune, etc.

Surefire way to knock me out and pass the time.

Upon first beverage service, eat 5mg valium. Sip one glass red whine.

Wake-up refreshed and ready to go.

A prescribed drug called ambien works well. No hangovers.

My thanks to 'easytraveler'--- my husband and I leave this Friday for Maui, a long flight from Minneapolis but gladly worth leaving our -2 degree temperatures. Anyway, I wanted to post and ask if anyone had read any can't put down books lately. Just bought The Davinci Code, wanted to know if it is a good choice, but I thought the question more book related than travel, so I didn't post. But there you are, my thanks to you easytraveler, as you offered up the info anyway.
Happy travel to everyone, and may you have many good reads!

p.s. Ohhhh, and fun2travel, I second the ear plugs. Never fails the flight is more pleasant when they accompany me.

Thanks to all for the advice. I bought 2 inflatable neck pillows today!

Patrick - Too funny on Mr. Dewar's, unfortunately, since I have trouble sleeping on planes I'm afraid I'd be a wide awake drunk the whole flight.

Tiff - Where in Maui? We're headed there too. Also, for a great "no brainer" read try ANGRY HOUSEWIFE'S EATING BON BON'S. It takes place in Minnesota, about a group of 5 women in a book club, made me laugh out loud on several occasions, cry a little and thoroughly enjoy the read. If you aren't atleast one of these women you know someone who is. Aloha!

All good suggestions so far.

Another thing that I like to do on long flights is bring stuff to pamper myself. I give myself a manicure - the whole thing with the cream you leave on for a 1/2 hour, cuticle cream, etc. Also, it's a great opportunity to put on some face cream and let it soak in. You'll be quite refreshed when you arrive. And don't forget to pack your toothbrush and paste in your carryon.

Tiff, you should be able to find several threads on book suggestions for long flights.

fun2travel, I'm another Ambien fan. Tylenol PM makes me groggy. The ingredient that makes you sleep in Tylenol PM is the same stuff in Sominex, without the acetominaphen.

Whatever medication you plan to use, be sure to try it at home before taking it on the plane.

Do you take a full Ambien or half?

Either take Tylenol PM or have a cocktail, but don't do both. Studies have shown a definite link to liver damage when acetominaphen and alcohol are taken together.

My blackout eyemask helps me to rest. If nothing else, people leave me alone.