Get all vulture-like and make for the empty seats as soon as everyone is seated. If I can get next to 1 or 2 empty seats and lie down, it's a dream. Makes 10 hour flights seem like a nice nap.

When I first posed this question a few days ago, I did not realize the number of good tips I would get. Thank you.

I was also surprised to hear people advocate for 1st class. I could live in Costa Rica for a month on what it would cost to upgrade to 1st class on a flight there.

I was also surprised to hear about the use of heavy duty drugs to "make a flight more pleasant", but I guess that sometimes a person's anxiety level over flying really does need to be quelled by a perscription drug.

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Originally posted by Zopa:

I was also surprised to hear people advocate for 1st class. I could live in Costa Rica for a month on what it would cost to upgrade to 1st class on a flight there.

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I don't think anyone here would spend the $$$ needed to buy an upgrade to business or first class. I wouldn't think of it. Most people upgrade with their frequent flyer points. You can accrue them really fast if you stick to one airline or alliance. Also get a mileage earning credit card and funnel as much as possible through it while paying it off each month. There are hundreds of other little ways to build up the miles/points, so you can upgrade those long flights. Remember "pudding guy" anyone?

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you know how your face gets all dried out but yet greasy at the same time and it's all and crappy feeling.. what do people do for that?

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Moment of true girlieness:
Oil of Olay (and Dove, and about every supermarket brand, now) make "cleansing cloths" that are just-add-water facials. They travel superbly: keep them in a ziploc bag in your carry-on, grab one whenever you're feeling grimy en route, and you can wash your face in the bathroom and toss the little cloth when you're done. No messing with jars or bottles or tubes or soap. I love them and always buy a box before I leave the country. There's nothing I hate more than feeling grimy.

Ambien is great for sleep and I've never had a problem getting a perscription for jet-lag. I can normally sleep on planes anyway but with this I actually wake-up feeling rested. Brush your teeth before you land and you can feel human even after 14 hours in the air.

heh! yeah, the drink does make you need to get up more... but that's a good thing!

I'm happy as long as i have some things to write in. neck pillows are good too...

Make flights more pleasant?

The usual, comfy clothes, extra socks, something to read- usually a crappy romance, earphones of some sort so I can listen to the in flight radio without paying 5 bucks, benadryl for the sleeping.

And then the extra special me stuff- I live over 7000 feet, so when everyone else is tired on the plane, I'm bouncing and awake, and slightly high from all the o2. Bring chips or cookies, or choco, or sammich and big bottle of soda. Volunteer to be bounced whenever they offer it, so I can explore the airport (I am NEVER again doing this at laguardia.)(Although that usally happens before I get on the plane, huh?).

Oh, yeah- and always, always, always putting the stuff I know I'm gonna need in the seat back pocket, then jamming my bag into the over head bin, so that even back in the cheap seats (on the aisle, always the aisle) I feel like I have some leg room.

j.

British Men's mags are the best (Loaded, etc)- hours of laughter - for those not easily offended, and a few more hours of translation required to understand as few of those Brit idioms! Water, toothbrush, something to wash your face, (here here Court!) trashy romance novels work about as well as the Brit mags- especially those with the really hunky guy- it makes people look at you funny. (You could always do the Harry met Sally bit for an extra bit of entertainment after they turn down the lights)This trip I'm going to bring some language flash cards- I'll let you know how well that goes.

Oooh. Another benefit of trashy romance novels is the fact that they're so cheap... whenever I'm on workterm I go through chick-lit and trashy romance novels like they're going out of style.

You can also get sealed, "no need for a sink" cloths from Neutrogena for washing your face now. I know some people who get freaked out reading about how dirty the water is on airplanes and how water testing shows contaminants on x% of planes. So, if you're paranoid about that, these already wet clothes are another idea.

I've heard that sometimes you can get upgraded for free simply by asking - is there any truth to that?

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Originally posted by wuffie2:

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Originally posted by Sam Salmon:
People like _wuffie2_ should be damned careful about staring at/gossiping about/pissing off other passengers.
You never know who you're sitting near-a word dropped into the '_right ear_' can really wreck someone's trip.
It's something I've done when someone pissed me off-for all I know that asswipe is still locked up in Mazatlan-at least I hope so.

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I was kidding! I just read or watch the movie, and drink as much water as I can. Sheesh!

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hey wuffie2 - I bet you hope you'll be sitting near sam salmon on your next flight....the time would just fly....

i think its always a plus when you are traveling with a buddy,, on my trip that i will be taking,, my good friend is coming along and i think i will be entertained the whole ten hours simply by the impressions she does and our quoting funny movies. i guess i am easily entertained.. but hey shes really good at those impressions

There's a health store here that sells some pills that are supposed to help with jet-lag... anyone have experience with these? I was just planning on resting and drinking a lot of water, but I'd be willing to spend a couple of dollars if they'd help out a bit.

I'm suprised no-one has mentioned requesting bulkhead or emergency exit seats yet.

has anyone heard of this one contraption that you put on the metal bar that holds up the um.. 'table' ? supposedly, it jams the seat in front of you and the person that's trying to lean back just gives up after assuming that the seat is messed up somehow.

i have read this thread with new vigor as i look at the itinerary for a flight to nz from nyc. thank you, contributors all...anyone want to add tips?

zopa

walking around, a LOT. walk around, do hindu squats, pushups, whatever. walk up and down the stairs to first class. stretch. etc.

...but i prefer the pain pill/glass of wine combo. waking up at your destination, confused as to where the time went, is the best.