Advice for a 1st time flier....

[TechHead87]

I will fly for the first time a few days. A relative of mine recommended Dramamine, just in case I get motion sickness (I'm pretty confident I will). Does this stuff work?

 

[xfalconx2]

It works for some of my relatives who get motion sickness. If it's a long flight, you may want to have the pills with you so you can take some more. I think they are only good for like 4-6 hours.

 

[lizardboy]

There's better stuff over the counter, starts with a "B"...Dramamine just makes you really tired.

Edit - it's "Bonine"...this stuff is great:
http://www.drugs.com/pdr/bonine.html

 

[KLin]

dramamine works well. I always took it when I went deep sea fishing with my grandfather years ago. I never got sick fishing off the california coast with some pretty big swells. It does make you drowsy though.

 

[mb]

Do you get motion sickness easily? If not, don't bother taking it, you can probably handle flying better than you think.

 

[WildHorse]

Dramamine may knock you on your butt. It does me. Sleepytime zzzzzzzzz.

I see people with a small bandaid on their necks that time-releases some anti-motion sickness drug which absorbs through the skin, but I don't know the name of it.

If you'll fly in a small private plane then, yes, you may feel airsick.
A big airliner is about like sitting in your living room...you barely feel motion. The take-off power build-up is a fun rush. The view is interesting. If you get lucky there'll be pretty stewardesses instead of old lady flight attendants or stewards.

So relax and enjoy your flight.

 

[TechHead87]

Originally posted by: scott
Dramamine may knock you on your butt. It does me. Sleepytime zzzzzzzzz.

I see people with a small bandaid on their necks that time-releases some anti-motion sickness drug which absorbs through the skin, but I don't know the name of it.

If you'll fly in a small private plane then, yes, you may feel airsick.
A big airliner is about like sitting in your living room...you barely feel motion. The take-off power build-up is a fun rush. The view is interesting. If you get lucky there'll be pretty stewardesses instead of old lady flight attendants or stewards.

So relax and enjoy your flight.

*Whew*

I'll be flying Coach with Delta.

One other question: how often is luggage lost? I dont want to pack my good clothes, then have someone "lose" them and leave me with nothing when I arrive...

BTW: What's the REAL difference between 'coach' and 'first class'??

 

[iamwiz82]

First class is worth it for long hauls, IMHO.

As for first time flying, I think it's a rush at takeoff and landing with hours of boredom in between

 

[Goosemaster]

dude....nooo noo nooo...get a bunch of hard liquor and get totally wasted and embarrass the HELL out of yourself; urination and making out with headrests will help out too.

I guarantee you the next time you fly, the fact that you are flying at 500mph in a tubule will be the last thing on your mind as the flight attendants warn the passengers about you over the loudspeaker.

 

[Tiamat]

On my first flight (last year), I looked out the window. I thought the view was awesome especially when the plane tilted.

I guess if you don't like that sort of thing, take whatever medicine you have to.

 

[olds]

For some reason, rubbing your shoes in gun powder before the flight helps with motion sickness.

 

[Lifted]

Just rent Twilight Zone: The Movie to get a good idea of a typical flight.

Forget the Dramamine, you'll want to be awake for this!

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I flew the first time at age 10 and have flown several times a year for the last 30yrs and never once got sick on a plane. Unless you get queasy very easy, or are just extremely nervous or something I wouldn't worry about motion sickness.

Now if your the type person that can't get on a boat of any kind without getting queasy, or can get motion sickness from riding a horse or a motorcycle, you might have trouble if you run into turbulence. Durring extreme turbulance you can get a roller coaster dropping type feeling but thats pretty rare, out of a couple of hundred flights I've only experienced that 2-3 times.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: TechHead87
One other question: how often is luggage lost? I dont want to pack my good clothes, then have someone "lose" them and leave me with nothing when I arrive...

BTW: What's the REAL difference between 'coach' and 'first class'??

In my experience, luggage is lost about 20% of the time. I wouldnt really call it lost, more like delayed though as this seems to occur when your layover is not long enough and there is not enough time to put the luggage on your connecting flight.

First class has much bigger and more comfortable seats, a lot more leg room and much better service and food.

 

[TechHead87]

What hygiene items can and cannot be brought onto the plane? I heard all liquids are a no-no...what about deodorants? Lotion?

 

[amdskip]

On my last plane ride my friend was flying us and he did a zero G drop. I about sh!t my pants during that.

 

[JEDIYoda]

a lot of flying wussies an these forums...rofl...taking a pill for motion sickness...damn guys grow a set of them...

 

[aphex]

motion sickness? on a plane?

Unless your flying in a Twin Otter Vistaliner over mountainous terrain, I wouldn't worry at all about motion sickness...

 

[Farang]

You really don't need motion sickness pills. If you are going to get pills, or think you will be afraid, just get some Xanax. It'll knock you out and you won't have a care in the world.

But you'd have to be really, really sensitive to have to get motion sickness. Most of the flight is very smooth with turbulence at times, but the turbulence is like riding in a car on a dirt road and generally it doesn't last too long.

 

[Rogodin2]

Flying for fun is a huge waste. Dont' do it.

Rogo

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Farang
You really don't need motion sickness pills. If you are going to get pills, or think you will be afraid, just get some Xanax. It'll knock you out and you won't have a care in the world.

But you'd have to be really, really sensitive to have to get motion sickness. Most of the flight is very smooth with turbulence at times, but the turbulence is like riding in a car on a dirt road and generally it doesn't last too long.

We flew from Switzerland to Miami about two weeks ago, 11.5 hours straight. About an hour into the flight i pissed on my leg in the bathroom when we hit a quick patch of turbulence... that sucked... lol... wasn't totally dry until about 2 hours later :beer:

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Farang
You really don't need motion sickness pills. If you are going to get pills, or think you will be afraid, just get some Xanax. It'll knock you out and you won't have a care in the world.

But you'd have to be really, really sensitive to have to get motion sickness. Most of the flight is very smooth with turbulence at times, but the turbulence is like riding in a car on a dirt road and generally it doesn't last too long.

We flew from Switzerland to Miami about two weeks ago, 11.5 hours straight. About an hour into the flight i pissed on my leg in the bathroom when we hit a quick patch of turbulence... that sucked... lol... wasn't totally dry until about 2 hours later :beer:

This is one of those times when in real life I would give a quick laugh as to not seem rude, and then look in the opposite direction and start whistling or commenting about the weather.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: TechHead87
BTW: What's the REAL difference between 'coach' and 'first class'??

50% wider seats. Oh, and you can board first if you want to.

I was on Northwest my most recent flight, which doesn't differ much between first class and coach. The trip out I was seated next to a ~300lb guy, which was a uncomfortable... but not $200 uncomfortable.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: TechHead87
BTW: What's the REAL difference between 'coach' and 'first class'??

50% wider seats. Oh, and you can board first if you want to.

I was on Northwest my most recent flight, which doesn't differ much between first class and coach. The trip out I was seated next to a ~300lb guy, which was a uncomfortable... but not $200 uncomfortable.

Not just the width, the leg room is usually much better as well.

 

[atomicacid55]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: TechHead87
One other question: how often is luggage lost? I dont want to pack my good clothes, then have someone "lose" them and leave me with nothing when I arrive...

BTW: What's the REAL difference between 'coach' and 'first class'??

In my experience, luggage is lost about 20% of the time. I wouldnt really call it lost, more like delayed though as this seems to occur when your layover is not long enough and there is not enough time to put the luggage on your connecting flight.

First class has much bigger and more comfortable seats, a lot more leg room and much better service and food.

Carry a few changes of clothes in your carryon. You know, an extra pair of underwear, say another t-shirt/undershirt... so you don't stink. If you carry a larger carryon, you might as well throw in a full change of clothes so you can go up to 2 days without your actual luggage.

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: TechHead87
BTW: What's the REAL difference between 'coach' and 'first class'??

50% wider seats. Oh, and you can board first if you want to.

I was on Northwest my most recent flight, which doesn't differ much between first class and coach. The trip out I was seated next to a ~300lb guy, which was a uncomfortable... but not $200 uncomfortable.

Not just the width, the leg room is usually much better as well.

Domestic first is nothing to put me in awe. Wait till you fly international in first... like Singapore or BA in first class.. oh shizzles.