People are usually fascinated when we tell them we lived overseas, and then they quickly give several reasons they could never be ex-pats themselves. The travel back and forth usually makes it into the top three.
When we first moved to Doha, there were no direct flights to the US, which meant we had to travel through Europe. The entire trip took somewhere between 24 and 32 hours. Not fun, but we survived.
You can imagine how thrilled we were when Qatar Airways added a direct flight to Houston. Only one airplane? No smokey Frankfurt stopover? Heaven!
The downside? We were stuck in a flying tin can with several hundred of our closest friends for about 16-17 hours.
(I see you shuddering out there.)
Well, once you do it a few times, you get used to it, but there are coping strategies that can make a long flight easier. Here are some of my tips:
- On a plane with a 3-4-3 configuration (three seats on one side, four in the middle and three more on the other side), you actually want the middle section if you’re traveling with only two people. Book both aisle seats and pray like hell no one books the interior two. Smarty Boy and I have gotten lucky that way a few times.
- If you don’t have to worry about staying awake to care for small children, consider taking melatonin or Tylenol PM. (I only do this when I travel without Smarty Boy.)
- Save several must-see TV shows or movies for the flight. Smarty Boy’s record is nine movies on one flight :-).
- Pack long-haul essentials like: socks or slippers, lip balm, hand lotion, your glasses if you normally wear contacts, headphones, physical and digital reading material, clean underwear and small snacks. (The airlines will provide toothpaste and toothbrush on overnight flights, even in economy class.)
- Don’t watch the path tracker (the one that shows where the plane is every second of the trip) constantly. Check it only every two or three hours or you’ll lose your sanity.
- Most experts will tell you not to drink alcohol. I say a glass of wine with a meal is okay. But other than that, stick with water. You’ll stay hydrated and have to go to the restroom less.
Have you ever been on a flight this long? If so, what strategies did you use to keep from losing your mind or killing your seat mate?
—
Today is National Authors Day, so I’m dedicating this Brain Candy post to all my fabulous writer friends! A special shout-out to Adrienne Giordano, Tracey Devlyn, Nancy Naigle and Jamie Farrell!
This is also Give Up Your Shoulds Day. As women and moms, we tend to carry around a buttload of guilt. So for today, try to give up all those things you think you should do and simply do what you want to do!
