Strategy for long flights?

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,562
1,742
126
I'm flying the Wednesday from Phil to Qatar. Then from Qatar to Thailand. In total I'm looking at 19hrs in the air with a 2hr 15 min layover.

What strategy would you normally employ on such a long trip? Would you pop a few valiums? Drink a few beers? Should I stay up the night before and forgo sleep? Bring plenty of ebooks to read? Video games?

Also, what would you say to someone who is a nervous flyer? I have a difficult time sleeping on the airplane because I'm normally nervous. :hmm:
 

EMPshockwave82

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2003
3,012
2
0
I tried the stay up the night before (working) and take a sleep aid. I was headed on vacation to the Netherlands and really excited for the awesome trip I had coming so I couldn't sleep at all. Was up for 29 hours before we touched down plus travel time to get to the hotel. I was a mess for 2 days.

I would try it again though. Pretty sure I was just too excited for it to work.
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,998
126
What strategy would you normally employ on such a long trip? Would you pop a few valiums? Drink a few beers? Should I stay up the night before and forgo sleep? Bring plenty of ebooks to read? Video games?

I'd stay up the night before so that I was exhausted when I got on the plane. Pop some valium and sleep for 12-14 hours. After that I'd rely on music and books. There's no good way to handle 19 hours in the air, all you can do is try to minimize the suffering and sleep is your best friend.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
All nighter the night before and ptfo the whole way OR the exact opposite with normal sleep cycle beforehand and no sleep on the plane. Just depends if you have anything to do for 19 hours

Also depends what kinda tickets you have. If you're flying Econ id probably opt for pass the fuck out.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
Stretch your legs every hour and stay hydrated.

The longest flight I've been on was 10 hours. Longest consecutive travel time was around 17 hours. Just go in well rested and know you'll feel bad when you land.
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
Not sure these days, used to be I'd have two cocktails and snooze.
 
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MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
I recommend clutching your pillow while rocking back and forth while muttering, "we're gonna die " over and over. Be sure to push the call button every 5 minutes. Ask your neighbors if you can trade places with them because the guy across the aisle looks like a terrorist. Fold little teeny airplanes out of your peanut bags and hold mock dogfights complete with sound effects. Everytime a woman goes to the bathroom wonder aloud if she's a member of the mile high club. If there are any kids onboard, challenge them to a relay race to the cockpit and back.
 

Phoenix86

Lifer
May 21, 2003
14,644
10
81
Fine.

Adjust your sleep schedule 2 days ahead to minimize jet lag.

Sleep once on the flight, however you have to. Probably a nap on one flight full rest on another. Drinking is ok, don't get drunk.

Dramamine.

What accommodations does the ticket have? Bring whatever you like to pass time, games/books/movies/whatever.

Something-something ladyboys.
 
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WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,415
404
126
Noise isolating headphones (Shure SE210s)
+ Cell phone + USB battery pack
+ Eye-patch

= Done deal

Regularly fly to/from SEA (23+ hours of flying) and just game, read, sleep and eat.
 

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,562
1,742
126
I'm in economy. 6 months ago I flew from Thai to New Jersey, but I flew in from the west coast. This time I'm taking off from Philadelphia and going the opposite route.
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
I recommend clutching your pillow while rocking back and forth while muttering, "we're gonna die " over and over. Be sure to push the call button every 5 minutes. Ask your neighbors if you can trade places with them because the guy across the aisle looks like a terrorist. Fold little teeny airplanes out of your peanut bags and hold mock dogfights complete with sound effects. Everytime a woman goes to the bathroom wonder aloud if she's a member of the mile high club. If there are any kids onboard, challenge them to a relay race to the cockpit and back.
+1

:biggrin:
 
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K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
53,907
48,696
136
I never fall asleep for more than a few minutes when in the air. On international I make sure I have lots of shit loaded on my ipad and am flying at least business class so I can get nice and loaded with free liquor.
 

evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
12,157
774
126
i fly internationally pretty often, like others said, stay up the night before as long as possible. when you get on your first flight you should be able to fall asleep right away. I take a mask and ear plugs / in ear headphones. if you still unable to fall asleep, take some zzzquil. as for booze, i personally stick with scotch, and/or i'll have wine with a meal. dont over do it because you dont want to get up all the time to take a piss. i'd drink water over booze if you want to feel someone comfortable and not dehydrated when you're done flying
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
I never fall asleep for more than a few minutes when in the air. On international I make sure I have lots of shit loaded on my ipad and am flying at least business class so I can get nice and loaded with free liquor.

If you can't sleep something tells me you're not drinking enough.
 

mistercrabby

Senior member
Mar 9, 2013
962
53
91
I'm flying the Wednesday from Phil to Qatar. Then from Qatar to Thailand. In total I'm looking at 19hrs in the air with a 2hr 15 min layover.

What strategy would you normally employ on such a long trip? Would you pop a few valiums? Drink a few beers? Should I stay up the night before and forgo sleep? Bring plenty of ebooks to read? Video games?

Also, what would you say to someone who is a nervous flyer? I have a difficult time sleeping on the airplane because I'm normally nervous. :hmm:

Business/First, duh.
 

ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
Never being able to sleep on planes, I load my phone with music and also bring a good book. Time really passes when you start reading a book.

Who can beat my record of staying up without sleep for 54 hours? Suppose my trip starts on tuesday. Wake up at 7AM on Monday in Utah, pull an all nighter for 7AM plane on Tuesday. Arrive at noon or so in Belarus on Wednesday(9 hour difference) and stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning because of jet lag? I tried to once to go 72 hours without sleep, but you start bogging down after about 30 hours after sleep.
 
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
1
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Can you get booze on a flight to Qatar (or bring duty-free with you)? I'd drink a few cocktails and pass out. Bringing a few books isn't a bad idea either.