Getting ready to fly. Tips to share?
#270193 - 06/20/06 06:34 AM
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Flipada
Reged: 03/02/06
Posts: 1026
Loc: West Michigan, USA
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I'm getting ready for my trip to Spain in less than 2 weeks. I've been to Europe before but it's been 6 years. I HATE to fly (not scared...just don't feel well). I'll be traveling alone. One of my flights will be 10 hours. I'm just wondering if anyone out there has any of their favorite travel tips to share. I'm not worried so much about food as I am about forgetting something (even though I plan like crazy) or not having enough to do to entertain myself on the plane. Any ideas would be much appreciated!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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I'm a list maker! Make a list now of everything you need to pack, what will be in the caryy-on, blah, blah, blah and check things off as you go. Seeing the checked off list always helps me to feel more secure that I didn't forget something important! All else fails, pop a few Xanax and go la-la-la-la for 10 hours!!  Thats what I did for the last plane ride I had to take! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hi Flipada and Michele, Say, if you two are planning on
coming to the Midwest Regional Get Together in August, could
you please post to the list on the thread on the get together
board. As far as flying tips, simply try to relax as much as
posible. Yes,Xanax will do that for you, but if you don't
have something like it just do your best to relax. Bring a
book, read, or something like that.
Interestingly enough, I had the worst travelling day
yesterday when I was flying standby from Chicago to
Marquette(UP). I didn't let all the delay nonsense get
to me and just read my book, and I made it fine to Mar-
quette. As a result, I have FINALLY lost my fear of IBS,
and boy do I feel good today. Had no problems driving back
to Houghton from Marquette.
Ok, so if you could please post, thanks very much! -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Glad to hear you trip went well Bob!! Congrats on controlling the fear of IBS!! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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***********************
If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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I'm not crazy about flying either... I don't HATE it, but I'd rather not unless I really have to.
Be sure to drink a LOT of water, and I would definitely bring some safe snacks. I know you're not worried about food, but the only snacks on our flights were pretzels and nuts, and the meal was completely NOT IBS-safe. Where your flight is so long, I wouldn't count on the airline to provide enough safe munchies.
I always take one of the less-drowsy-formula Dramamine an hour before boarding. It mellows me out, but not enough that I fall asleep.
I always take a knitting or crochet project. I can't read in a moving vehicle of any kind, but for some reason, working with my hands doesn't bother me, and it's quite absorbing. If you have a hobby that has the potential to be portable, consider it. I do take a book for any layovers. I also take a small mp3 player and headphones, so that I don't have to listen to roaring engines and babbling travelers.
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Thanks everyone! I'll be sure to pack my safe snacks. I'll have my laptop, iPod (with hypno tapes), and a book. I learned a new craft today called Punchneedle which is really cool. I'm just hoping they'll let me take it on board so I can work on it...keep my brain AND my hands busy.
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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I don't know if you're a C or a D, but be prepared to get a little gassy. Long flights seem to have that effect. Beyond that:
1. Dress in layers. I am almost always cold on flights, so I recommend that you wear something light but wear (or bring) something heavy, too. Also, bring dark-colored socks to wear just on the plane. I usually put a wool pair on over my regular socks. This helps to keep the tootsies warm, plus I can take off my shoes without worrying about visibly dirty socks!
2. Think elastic (or drawstring). Who wants to wear jeans while sitting for ten hours?
3. Bring your full medicinal arsenal. I'm usually fine on the flight proper (except for the aforementioned gas), but be a good scout and be prepared.
4. Snacks are a good idea, particularly if you're super-sensitive to food. I'm usually okay with airplane food, but not everyone is.
5. Even though you're supposed to drink a lot, I usually try not to go overboard, because the bathrooms tend to get extra gross on international flights.
6. Speaking of which, if you're worried about stinking up the potty, you could pack a small body spray or something to take with you in to the RR.
7. I prefer magazines to books when I fly, because they require less of an attention span.
8. Consider getting a sleeping pill from your doctor. For travel, I like Sonata best, because it wears off after about four hours, so you won't feel wrung out. Sleeping on the plane helps pass the time and it helps to combat jet lag. I don't know about you, but sleep deprivation is definitely a trigger for me!
9. I am tall and have long legs, so I like to keep the area under my feet clear. Therefore, I have a little pouch where I keep my essentials: glasses case, hand lotion, chapstick, kleenex, hand sanitizing wipes, EAR PLUGS, etc.
That's all I can think of for now! I'll let you know if anything else occurs to me.
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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Thanks Christine! Great tips. I was just thinking today about socks so that was a good reminder. And I get cold really easily too.
I'm C so I'm not worried about having to go on the plane...just the gas and discomfort. I might just go with Dramamine. It helps my nausea and I get sleepy. Oh..but earplugs...good idea.
Thanks!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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And I did a LOT better on these flights then I did last time I went. I too took the less drowsy Dramamine just to chill out. The flights I were on had little tvs in the seats so I watched movies and slept on and off. I listened to music, took a sudoko book to do (now I see what the big buzz is over that stuff..lol). I love sleeping the most though, especially when you are trying to counteract the time change business too.
And definitely take some safe food because the stuff they feed you on those long flights will NOT be safe. It always smells so good, but I have never found airplane food to sound too appealing anyhow, so pack some stuff for yourself and drink lots of water.
Is your flight a straigt shot or do you have a connection? You'll be fine though - just keep busy and it'll fly by (no pun intended )
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and I have to second this.. I pack knitting, snacks, plenty of bottled water (the airline never provides enough), and a book.. and my mp3 player as well..
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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Hi Casey, So how did you like it and what did you go see? -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Brittany,
I have a straight flight from Chicago to Milan and the Milan to Bilbao (Spain)which is a short flight. Chicago to Milan is 9 hours there and 10 hours on the way back. Against the current on the way back?? 
I haven't tried the Sudoku thing yet but my husband loves it. I'll have to give it a go. I'll be bringing a deck of cards to play solitaire, too.
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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Khyricat,
I know you're packing knitting needles and they're getting a little more slack but I don't know if they'll let me take my Punchneedle needles. I'm thinking about driving to my local airport to show someone and ask. I'd hate to have to mail them home. Can't leave them behind as they're too expensive!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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I only travel with wooden/plastic needles on planes- since I use almost entirely wood anyway its not a big deal.. I'd think of something that doesn't involve sharp stuff!
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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Just ask as you are checking your bags. If you're not allowed to carry them on, you can put them in your checked luggage.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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there should be a website for that, stuff youre allowed to carry onto planes.. the security here is called TSA so maybe look up http://www.tsa.gov/public/ and i know they have a section on there somewhere..hope that helps.. 
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http://www.myspace.com/rachelle423
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I'm gonna ask anyway. Now that they're letting people take scissors on board, there's always a possibility. I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed.
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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I liked it a lot! For me, that's really saying a lot, because I am NOT a city person at all... and mind you, I still didn't like it enough to ever want to live in a place so busy and rushed, but it was still a wonderful time.
We didn't get to see nearly as much as I would have liked - we only had 3 days to sightsee, and my stepfather (who lives there) wanted to give us the walking tour of downtown, which ended up burning the entire first day of the trip. All I really remember from the first day is that really cool double fountain thing with the faces that change and "spit" - I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, haha. The rest was just buildings to me. Friday we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo, and Saturday the Art Institute. Loved them both, but the Institute was just AWESOME. It's probably been at least 10 years since I've been in a good art museum, so I was in my glory. All that wonderful Picasso!
And we ate a lot. Dinner one night was Italian Village, and the next night was Bandera. Great food both times, I was thoroughly impressed.
Didn't get to do any of the nightlife - I was hoping to get out Saturday night and see some blues, but all the walking in the sun wore me out! (I must be getting old! LOL!)
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