Frequent travellers...pls help me..?

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NOLA guy

Check the current carry-on rules at: www.tsa.gov

Get to the airport 2 full hours before your flight. Really. It is lots better to wait a bit before your flight than to miss it or have your checked bags not make it onto the airplane.

Attach something to your checked bags so they are not just another anonymous black suitcase. An example would be to attach a short length of colored tape to each side. It reduces the chance someone might accidentally pick up your bag at the destination thinking it is their bag.

Make sure all of your bags are tagged with your name and a good phone number + your e-mail address. Also have the info inside the bag. It is OK to use the free tags from the check-in counter.

Airports are pretty safe places, particularly once you get through security. Just watch your carry-on bag(s) - keep them on the floor at your feet in front of you while checking in.

More than a few hours in an airplane is really tough, especially if you are in economy class. The result is usually called "jet lag".

The time change is part of "jet lag", but only part. For example, people experience jet lag when traveling from North America to South America even when they don't change time zones. Dehydration caused by dry air in the cabin is as important as the time change, and dehydration can be cumulative + aggravated by your environment/activities before the flight. Jet lag can be much worse on the return leg of a relatively short trip because you never really recovered from the lag incurred on the first leg. It can also be aggravated by what you do between trips.

I have not found anything that eliminates jet lag, but staying hydrated helps reduce it. Water and non-carbonated liquids are best. Avoid drinking a lot of anything with caffeine, including colas. Lots of alcohol also aggravates the dehydration and you may have a hangover before the end of a long flight.

Wear clothing that is comfortable. Especially avoid tight clothing or shoes - your body will swell during a long flight.

Sleeping on the flight (even if it isn't very good sleep) also helps. The seats are MUCH, MUCH better in business and first class on long distance flights so upgrade if you can. If you can't upgrade, select a window seat so you can pile extra pillows & blankets against the interior of the cabin to lean against for a bit of extra comfort. A sleep mask (like www.mindfold.com) and earplugs may help you sleep.

You can choose to take something to help you sleep on the plane, but try it first. Many sleep aids can make you groggy long after you need to wake up. I just use aspirin.

Get up and walk around every few hours. Do some stretching exercises - there is usually room by the exterior doors.

Bring one or more books that you have started and know you like. It is really annoying to open a new book on a flight and realize you don't find it interesting.

For your layover during the trip, check with the airline(s) to see if you can purchase ($25 to $50) a 1-day pass to their airport lounge. Lounges offer a comfortable, safe place to wait between flights and refreshments are included in the membership. Some lounges even have showers (a Godsend after a long flight). Delta's Crown Room and United's Red Carpet Club are examples.

You will be wasted when you get to your destination, even if you fly business or first class. Don't schedule anything important the day you get there. At least try to avoid driving a car - take taxis.

The usual advice is to speed your body's adjustment to local time by living on the local schedule: Stay awake until local bedtime at your destination and stay in bed until local morning. If you absolutely must take a nap make sure you don't sleep more than 3 hours. Eat meals at the normal local time. And so on.

However, you will be there only one day, so just do the best you can.

It still takes me 1 day per hour of time change to fully adjust (a 7 hour time difference takes me a full week to get over).

wahoo

Yes this does sound like a hectic schedule. I hope that when you come back home, you have given yourself some down time.
If you are travelling alone...mind your own business. If you have a long "waiting period" then buy a magazine or crossword puzzle, something to occupy your time. If you are sitting somewhere waiting for plane, choose to sit near a family or and older couple and if you have a question to ask, find an airport employee, and ask them, do not ask just anyone, you never know who you are talking to. This all seems so paranoid but you asked how to avoid problems...these are just sound ways of being by yourself and not bringing attention to yourself.

Yes you are going to feel tired and drained. It will help if you drink plenty of water and stay away from caffeine and alcohol. I have flown alone many times and I always feel safe. Just do not give personal information to anyone you talk with. AS for realistic-well you must want to go where ever you are going pretty bad. Its a long way to go for such a short stay. Take a book or ipod, sleep when you can. That is a long time to sit too, try to stretch your legs ever hour or so to help the blood circulate. Have fun.

aflumpire

Let me get this straight...

you will be on a plane for 30 hours in a 48 hour period???

You should try to get a holiday there mate! you will feel like you will never want to wake up from your sleep!!

dcgirl

Flying alone is not dangerous; I do it all the time. Just use your common sense: do not flash large sums of money, do not leave your belongings unattended, do not wander into dark hallways or alleys alone, don't trust strangers, and know where you are going and how you will get there before you start on your journey. Have directions to your hotel printed before you leave for the airport. Don't read a map on a streetcorner or every crook in town will know you are lost. Have a small amount of the local currency with you when you land--- exchanging money in airports is expensive and also a good way for crooks to see how much money you have. Put your business card or other contact info inside each bag you take, carry-on's too.

As for being exhausted, well, this is a hectic schedule. You can do some things to ease the pain, though: don't drink alcohol or caffeine anytime on the trip; stick to water and drink lots of it. If you have an extended layover in any airport along the way, pay for a day-pass to the airport lounge hosted by the airline you're travelling; you can get a shower and change your clothes there, which will help you feel a lot more comfortable and refreshed. Take comfortable shoes, make sure you have a change of shoes and several changes of socks; dress comfortably. Invest in some noise-cancelling headphones which may help you sleep on the plane as they block the engine noise.

Most of all, remember it is just 3 days. If you're going on such a rugged schedule, there is a good reason for it--- either work or personal, but clearly there is a reason you are not staying longer in your destination. You may feel uncomfortable at times but it won't kill you.

travel girl

Yes, you are going to be wiped out physically. Don't drink alcohol, try to be patient and stay in the moment. Don't let yourself get frustrated with those things that you have no control over...arriving late, arriving early, taking off late or early, not liking the food, someone reclined their seat too far for comfort. Just relax as much as possible and sleep if possible.

I don't think you are in danger en route....not sure about your destination as there isn't enough information to go on.

Roger B.

You are not going long, so you don't have to bring much stuff.
If you can put a change of clothes in a carry-on, you don't have to check any bags, so when you get to the location you can clear customs and immegration without waiting for checked bags!

Don't try to catch up on sleep while you're there, you will probably end up sleeping all day. When you get home, make sure you have nothing scheduled so you can sleep-sleep-sleep!

Don't worry so much about dangers. Airplane travel is safer than automobile.

adam_peace_harmony2006

Sasha, without more info it's difficult to answer your question, safety is going to relate to the countries involved. Some basics are; know some key phrases, keep copies of your tickets and passport, have currency on hand for all countries involved, try to request an aisle seat and get up and move around frequently on plane to avoid deep vein thrombosis, drink lots of water, 8 oz for every hour of flying within 24 hours of travel is a good guideline, on arrival try to act like the current time, jet lag is going to hit you hard whenever (if) you fly against the sun on this trip. Flying is statistically safe, read up on destination in advance, mentally go through all of the steps involved in your mind several times before you leave. Happy Traveling!

bloodweaver1974

You will be very exhausted from a flight schedule like that. Or at least I would be, but I am a very light sleeper and can never sleep on planes. Don't plan on doing a whole lot on your 1 day at your destination. I assume it must be a business trip, as I can't think of any other reason to make a schedule like that.

Do not worry about security. Basically you will show up at the airport, give them your luggage and ticket, be issued a boarding pass, find your departure gate and board the plane in that order. Really as soon as you show up at the airport everything is by procedure and out of your hands. The biggest dangers you will face are some kid sitting near you that won't shut up or stop crying and the in-flight meal thats edibility is questionable at best. Earplugs and bringing some of your own snacks are a good idea. Perhaps a MP3 player or something to pass the time also.

The only real rule is: DO NOT ever leave any of your luggage unattended and DO NOT ever carry another persons luggage or belongings. You are responsible for your own luggage and if someone should tamper with it (ie. place drugs or other illegal substances in an attempt to have you carry them through customs) you are responsible. When I travel my luggage is always where I can see it. If I go to the bathroom in the airport, so does the luggage. Its very rare that it should happen, but you can get into serious trouble if someone should attempt to use you as a drug mule.

Can't really give much more advice without having more information, but keep in mind airports are some of the highest security areas and your personal safety is not at risk.

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