Getting to LOS in one piece, tips for surviving the flight

[Taters]

I'm just too excited to go to bed when I get to BKK, so after I get a room I go and get a ST.

Best sleeping pill I ever took ! Last trip after almost no sleep for 14 hours, I boarded Cathay Pacific at 1:40 am LAX to Hong Kong

Took a sleeping pill that has always worked before - Remeron, and didn't sleep 30 minutes. Arived HK in the mourning, 3 hours later

into BKK - Swampy ( never been before) last trip was in 2000. Landed in the mourning and could not sleep if I tried.

After the two I picked up from NEP and took back to Dream hotel, I sleep like a baby ( kept one for a wake up! ) ;)

 

Oh well just need to go more often & I'll figure it out someday.

[trini210]

I read this thread before my trip last month and found it quite helpful , may i recommend the Bose QC 3 noise cancelling headphones, bloody expensive at £270 but trust me it's worth it especially when sitting next to a screaming baby.

[Mavic]

Excellent post on Frequent flyers....back in the day..i didnt think that much about it...but over the last 10 years flying on a regular basis oversees...i now earn a RT every other year to SE Asia. I do this by not only flying, but using my airlines credit card as well. Im a Skyteam member, and i fly regular Alaska airlines for work and Korean airlines to monger in the AC Candystore. Some ways to earn big via Skyteam:

- If in the USA...get a bank account with Bank of America. Apply for the Alaska Airline Debit, or credit card. With the Debit card you get 1 miles for every 2usd you spend. For the credit card you get 1 mile for every 1usd you spend. 3000 for the first use of your debit card, and 25000 to get approved for your credit card.

 

- shop online via Miles plan shopping, has on the well know stores online. What to buy something from Bestbuy, sony, HP, you name it...sign on via this website, and then shop as you normally do...you get miles for buy..this is where my big miles come from.

 

- Want to earn free miles, just by answering some questions...check out E-miles, which is survey site, that you get free miles..i get about 500 a month via this site..and spend like 2-3 mins on each survey.

 

- Tons of other ways to earn....sign up for a favorite hotel chain..and earn miles for vacation...for me..if i was staying at the Hilton...i could get miles, just by staying there...But due to the cost, verse my mongering plan..staying at the Hilton doesnt fit into my budget.

 

Basically join a airline allaince and stick with them...vist their website..on the mileage plan partners.

[CJ-PAF]

FatNemesis had one of my favorites, at least for short haul, sit on the side away from the sun. Especially when flying North-South. Long haul doesn't matter so much because the windows are always closed.

 

I always have a pack of bubblegum with me. Good for cotton mouth but more importantly, good for the little kid that starts crying when the pressure changes. It fixes their ears and cheers them up at the same time. If you travel with children, it is a must. Get the bubble kind because blowing the bubbles helps. I've never had anything but thanks from parents. Happy children can be entertaining to fly with, unhappy ones can ruin it for a lot of people.

 

Always travel in loose shorts, slip on shoes and a t shirt. The only time I got burned on this was waiting to get the bus from the plane to the terminal in Frankfurt when it was snowing. It was pretty funny but it was only a few minutes and I didn't spend 10 hours trying to get comfortable in a bunch of heavy clothes.

 

Baggage is an all or nothing proposition. If you or your companions have to check a bag, check everything. You have to go to baggage claim anyway. You won't be burdened during layovers with a bunch of useless junk to lug around. Carry only your valuables and the stuff you intend to use on the plane. Keep your carry on small and light so you can move in the airport and not have to lug a heavy bag to the other terminal. This can also let you pass a lot of people on the way to the Immigration counter. You also get more room for shopping if you happen to be going through DXB.

 

If you are flying with someone, short haul, book the aisle seat and the window seat. Others will avoid choosing the middle if they can. For long haul, book seats across the aisle from each other. Flying solo, take an Aisle seat where the window seat has been booked as a solo. Same deal, people will try and avoid the middle.

 

If you are a nervous flyer, book a seat on the wing, it is the part of the plane that moves the least.

 

Never book the last seat in the back, the reclining function may be limited.

 

I have to agree with the no booze crowd. Getting hammered before getting on the plane is a big mistake because by the time you land, you will have a hangover. You will also be dehydrated and irritable. It's the Land of Smiles, be prepared to wear one.

 

For the US resident long haulers, join the GOES program. https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/ No lines at Immigration and preferred lines at Customs. $100 for 5 years but after being on a plane for 17 hours, an hour in Immigration is torture.

[scubaadiver56]

One tip for checked luggage. My last trip using EVA Airlines, they sent my bag to vietnam, but did'nt know it. What I do is type out my whole itinerary of my trip, listing hotels with dates and phone numbers, all flights, my frequent flyer number, cell phone numbers both home and international numbers. As a result the airline had opened my bag, found the sheet lying on top and call the hotel in bkk. i received the bag within 8 hours after leaving the airport.

[juir]

In my trips to Asia, I've been connecting through Seoul a lot lately. One thing that's been nice, if your layover allows it, is to get a massage from the "spa" in the terminal. I don't think they offer happy endings, but it's a great way to stretch your muscles out after being cooped up on a plane for 10+ hours.

 

Also, if you fly Asiana Airlines, which is a Korea-based airline (I highly recommend them) -- they don't do pre-assigned seating. While this irks me to no end flying domestically in the US on Southwest, it's actually been a boon on Asiana, because you can walk up to the ticket counter and ask for an exit row seat. This has worked the last 3 times I've done it, and having an exit row seat on a 747 gives you enough legroom guaranteed, and the ability to stand up without climbing over anyone as an added bonus.

[pipeman350]

Fly mid week as more chance of half full plane most people fly late in the week for holidays feel they have start holiday on a Friday the sheep mentallity.

 

Internet check in you can check empty rows and change your seat for one of these if availiable I always go for an isle seat in the centre four seats the four seats in the middle make an excellent bed.

[Jecko Bonto]

Very useful newbie guide! Still useful even for frequent flyers like me.

 

Hey, I have only one more tip to add: have your cam handy anytime.

[altec123]

This is a great thread with lots of really good ideas. I think it also helps to get yourself into a good mental state prior to leaving and accepting you are going to be traveling for X hours and not to get impatient. I laugh when I see people checking the skymap every 20 minutes on the flight from Washington Dc to Seoul. They drive themselves crazy. You get there when you get there.

[Som Tom]

Great info. here. I've flown between the USA-BKK 7 times now and twice from China. I bought a traveler's vest here for only $20 it several has secured pockets for passport, wallet, coins etc. I advise men flying into the US to wear a white long-sleeve dress shirt, dark trousers, and dress shoes. Why? My first trip to US after moving to BKK US Customs pulled everyone coming from a SE Asian airport into a separate queue. About 6 of us in the queue I was wearing the white dress shirt and the agents didn't go through my bags as they did to the others dressed in shorts etc.

 

Onboard I take a Ziplok bag with a toothbrush and paste, tissue, pain reliever, antacid, lipbalm etc. It's a good idea to use Ziploc bags for toiletries and other items too. Also I have earplugs, an eyemask and neck pillow. I take dormicum, valium or xanax when available or melatonin with wine after the meal is served to help go to sleep. I bring an MP3 player and load language mp3's to review the language. (In-Flight Thai has many useful phrases) I'm not much of a reader but I like to do the crossword in the flight magazine. I use seatguru.com to research the aircraft seating then assign my seat with the airline-I like aft port side aisle seats for long flights. On my next trip to the USA I'll bring a towel to use a blanket.

 

If you are carrying a notebook I suggest creating an encrypted folder or hide it for naughty photos/vids and sensitive data. I use Free Hide Folder to hide naughty vids. Also I put all my passwords into a Word doc with a password.

 

If anyone is traveling to Mainland China I suggest avoiding China Southern Airlines because they fly through Guongzhou. It's a good airline but the airport sucks. All passengers must claim their luggage then go through another security checkpoint. For those with tight connections it's easy to miss the flight.

Edited June 24, 2011 by Som Tom

[Som Tom]

Great info. here. I've flown between the USA-BKK 7 times now and twice from China. I bought a traveler's vest here for only $20 it several has secured pockets for passport, wallet, coins etc. I advise men flying into the US to wear a white long-sleeve dress shirt, dark trousers, and dress shoes. Why? My first trip to US after moving to BKK US Customs pulled everyone coming from a SE Asian airport into a separate queue. About 6 of us in the queue I was wearing the white dress shirt and the agents didn't go through my bags as they did to the others dressed in shorts etc.

 

Onboard I take a Ziplok bag with a toothbrush and paste, tissue, pain reliever, antacid, lipbalm etc. It's a good idea to use Ziploc bags for toiletries and other items too. Also I have earplugs, an eyemask and neck pillow. I take dormicum, valium or xanax when available or melatonin with wine after the meal is served to help go to sleep. I bring an MP3 player and load language mp3's to review the language. (In-Flight Thai has many useful phrases) I'm not much of a reader but I like to do the crossword in the flight magazine. I use seatguru.com to research the aircraft seating then assign my seat with the airline-I like aft port side aisle seats for long flights. On my next trip to the USA I'll bring a towel to use as a blanket.

 

I highly recommend Eva Airlines Economy Deluxe. It has a business-class seat with economy class food the extra seat pitch makes sleeping easier.

 

If you are carrying a notebook I suggest creating an encrypted folder or hide it for naughty photos/vids and sensitive data. I use Free Hide Folder to hide naughty vids. Also I put all my passwords into a passworded Word doc.

 

If anyone is traveling to Mainland China I suggest avoiding China Southern Airlines because they fly through Guongzhou. It's a good airline but the airport sucks. All passengers must claim their luggage then go through another security checkpoint. For those with tight connections it's easy to miss the flight.

[derek1232000]

PacSafe travel gear, iPad 2, iPhone 4, New Trent Charger, Skyrest pillow, toe warmers, ExOfficio travel clothes, fish oil & Ambien.

[milhouse7]

I advise men flying into the US to wear a white long-sleeve dress shirt, dark trousers, and dress shoes. Why? My first trip to US after moving to BKK US Customs pulled everyone coming from a SE Asian airport into a separate queue. About 6 of us in the queue I was wearing the white dress shirt and the agents didn't go through my bags as they did to the others dressed in shorts etc.

 

I find this a bit odd, may I ask which airline were you travelling and from where? I have flown into the US 3 times from SE Asia although not direct, normally via HK or Seoul. I have never had a problem (until I arrived in Canada where Canadians are harrassed to no end).

[Turbod]

There are a lot of great tips here, some I knew about, a lot I didn't.

 

One tip I can offer is don't be in a hurry to board the plane. Why join in the rush to get on & have to stand in the plane aisle waiting for people to stow their luggage & sit down. Just enjoy the comfort of the lounge for a few more minutes before boarding the plane & walking straight to your seat. If you spot an empty row of seats you could try sitting there instead.

 

This method also got me a free upgrade once. I was flying with Etihad & I waited until the last minute before boarding the plane for the Abu Dhabi - Bkk leg. When I got to my seat there was already someone in it. We compared boarding cards & we both had the same seat number. I called over the stewardess & she took both boarding cards away. She came back a minute later & led me back up the plane. I thought she was taking me to an empty seat in economy but instead took me upstairs to business class, where I recieved the full business class treatment! Had I got to my original seat first the other person would have got bumped instead.

[TheOldMan]

There are a lot of great tips here, some I knew about, a lot I didn't.

 

One tip I can offer is don't be in a hurry to board the plane. Why join in the rush to get on & have to stand in the plane aisle waiting for people to stow their luggage & sit down. Just enjoy the comfort of the lounge for a few more minutes before boarding the plane & walking straight to your seat. If you spot an empty row of seats you could try sitting there instead.

 

This method also got me a free upgrade once. I was flying with Etihad & I waited until the last minute before boarding the plane for the Abu Dhabi - Bkk leg. When I got to my seat there was already someone in it. We compared boarding cards & we both had the same seat number. I called over the stewardess & she took both boarding cards away. She came back a minute later & led me back up the plane. I thought she was taking me to an empty seat in economy but instead took me upstairs to business class, where I recieved the full business class treatment! Had I got to my original seat first the other person would have got bumped instead.

 

This is good information, and I know it's true because it happened to me once. Sure, the odds of it happening are slim, but it could happen, and that's what's important.

[wardo]

Great read and some good tips

[boswell]

For finding some peace and quiet, I use Bose noise canceling headphones even when I'm not listening to music; I'll turn them upside and I can sleep just fine with them on. They are incredible at canceling out the constant (at least you hope it is constant) engine noise, and as a result I find that I am much less fatigued after long trips. Try them, you won't believe how much noise was going on before you flip the switch.

 

 

So true.

If you can afford it, buy those :

http://www.bose.com/...rt_15/index.jsp

 

They are just incredible, especially with constant low frequency noise (planes, motors, etc).

They are sold with an adapter to plug them in all planes' sound systems.

In the train, you hear the metal wheels on the railways. Same in the streets, you hear the rubber of the tires on the street, and almost don't hear the engines.

 

At reducing noise (I mean the technology that reduces surrounding noise), they are the best, period.

 

The sound is not the best, though. You can find cheaper headphones with better sound quality, but if your goal is the sound reduction feature, this is what you need. It's not the kind of headphones you would use in your living room. And of course not a good idea to use it on your bike, for some obvious reason : http://adsoftheworld...ages/bose_3.jpg

 

Go in a store and try them, you will be amazed. They sometimes have test installation systems with a speaker that plays planes engine noise, and you put the headphones on and off. The first time I couldn't believe it.

 

Of course they are pricey, but if you travel (plane, train, metro, bus) or if you are married, they are really worth it!

Edited January 2, 2012 by boswell

[zerocool]

The best investment that I have made for those long flights in Economy is an IPAD! There is nothing like it to pass the time. Music, books, newspapers, games, TV shows, movies! The battery also lasts 10+ hours. Well worth the investment if you travel a lot. Also good for sending emails at the airport or making calls with Skype. The iPad has saved me since Unites made it more expensive to upgrade to Biz class in 2011.

 

[casinoclub]

I am surprised BM footypjman has not posted yet! 5 5 5 5

 

He has recently turned me to methods on flying business from US to Thailand for free (practically). The method is legit and is working itself out for me as we speak.

 

Looking through OP's post it seems like OP may not be participating in the lucrative free miles offer by the US credit card market. OP might do well to have some quick PM with footypjman.

 

Here are some additional resources:

 

https://awardwallet.com/

 

https://awardnexus.com/

 

http://seatexpert.com/

 

http://www.farecompare.com/products/

 

http://www.evreward.com/

 

Using Credit Card Offers to Construct a Free Dream Trip Quickly

Edited January 9, 2012 by casinoclub

[Luv2Phuket]

Casinoclub, you crack me up! I just noticed this thread and was going to pop in for some "credit card miles" suggestions, and yours was the first post I saw! LOL!

 

I'm working on my next trip -- currently in a pissing match with US Air over 20,000 bonus miles, which will give me enough to book my next excursion! Also, just got the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and am looking to run up $3000 in charges over the next 3 months for 50,000 bonus miles, which will top me off for another free business flight through United miles + give some other points to transfer to hotel programs for free rooms.

 

For me, there is nothing better to survive these flights than a big comfortable seat! If you don't have the miles to get it for free, invest a little extra for premium economy if you're big guy like me.

 

Noise cancelling headphones was also a great tip. I use a cheap ass pair of Sony NC headphones that I bought in Wal Mart for about $30. Not near as good as Bose, but they get the job done.

 

Other tip, though I rarely follow it, is to drink as much water on the flight as possible. Jet lag is linked to dehydration, so drinking water during the flight can help.

 

Casinoclub - glad to hear you're KILLING it miles-wise! That United card you're getting is a great one! Hopefully we'll be in Pattaya at the same time in the future and can hook up for a drink or two to laugh about those great free flights!

 

The one caution that I have for anyone getting cards for miles/points -- and I got burned on this -- is that, if you get hotel or airline-linked cards through Chase, you can only get bonus miles/points for ONE card per airline/hotel. I signed up for a mediocre Marriott card offer (22,500 points + 2 free nights), then, when I tried to cash in on a better offer (50,000 points + free night), I got the card, but they refused to give me any more bonus points or free nights.

 

Citibank, on the other hand, is GREAT about allowing multiple card on their American-linked credit cards, so I've run up almost 350,000 miles with them over the past couple of years. They are linked to Cathay, so I'll be moving over to use those miles once I kill off my United and US Air bonanza (which are redeemable on Thai for LAX-BKK non-stop).

 

If anyone wants my input on credit cards, as always, feel free to PM me. I'm a cheap mofo, and love to help anyone I can rack up some miles for free/cheap travel to LOS!

[casinoclub]

ha ha ha :-) As you can see, I am a convert. :-) In fact, since our last PM exchange, I've been doing quiet a bit of reading. Following multiple blogs as well as signed up for Amazon Payment, Venmo, Awardswallet, BigCrumb, and etc. Well, you know the drill. :-)

[blue1878]

I've visited Thailand/Pattaya 26 times in the last 20 years and I now have a routine that I really like.

(1) I usually fly from Manchester England which means I cannot fly direct to Thailand. I have to be in transit somewhere.

(2) I prefer an early morning flight from Manchester which means that I usually arrive in Pattaya in the morning or early afternoon the next day. This means that if I am feeling tired when I arrive at my hotel I can have a rest before going out in the evening.

(3) As my flight is usually an early morning flight I do my packing the previous night. So in the morning I only have to make sure I have everything for my trip before leaving for the airport

(4) I always like to get to Manchester airport 3 hours before my flight is due to take off. This is because once I have checked in and gone through customs I then feel that my holiday has started so I then go straight to a bar for a beer or two before boarding my flight. I have on more than one occasion been having a beer at about 7am in the morning whilst others have been having there breakfast.

(5) I've never been a good sleeper on the plane(s) journey to Thailand so I prefer a decent airline that has got a good selection of movies that I can choose from and watching these movies help pass the time. And if a drink trolley comes around I will normally ask for a beer or a short.

(6) When I arrive at my transit airport I always like to go to a bar for a beer or two before boarding my conecting plane that will take me to BKK, Thailand.

(7) Again on my 2nd flight I will watch the inflight entertainment and have a drink or two.

(8) Before my holiday I always pre-book my plane seats. I always prefer isle seats and an isle seat has near the front of economy has possible. I always feel that it's important that I sit has near the front of the plane has possible when I am flying into Bangkok airport. The airports immigration can at times be very slow. So I like to get off the plane has quickly as possible and once off the plane I always walk very quickly to immigration so that I am hopefully one of the first ones there from my flight. And hopefully I can then get through immigration quickly.

(9) In recent years I have flown mainly with Etihad to Thailand. And I am a member of there frequent flyers club. When I first joined there programme I just had there basic membership but because I fly twice a year to Thailand with them I am now a silver status member. This allows me free entry to a business lounge at any of the airports that I fly in and out off when flying to and from Bangkok. I have on two or three occasions been given a free upgrade from economy to the business class of the plane. I also earn an extra 25 per cent in airmiles. And I have once earned enough miles to get a free return flight to Bangkok.

[geezerrb]

It is good you are happy with your plan it works for you. I fly from LHR I'm right in between LHR & MAN and have a prefer to fly direct I also hate the M6. The direct price from LHR is usually same as MAN with stopover and often car parking is cheaper also flight times mean I can fly after leaving work that day and be in Pattaya unpacked, showered and out for the first night on return arrive early evening drive home unpack get to bed and ready for work next day, that way I don't waste holiday entitlement in UK its all spent in Thailand.

[elcaballero7]

Dude this thread is awesome! I never considered half the stuff you suggested. As far as sleeping pills go is TSA ok with them?

[LRanger]

Travel light, only ever take carry-on as it saves a lot of time on arrival.

If connecting and you have the time try to get a hot shower, it is an amazing rejuvenator. I did this on 30 hour round trips.

Mild sleeping pills

Good ear-plugs that drown out the sound

Easily accessible kit-bag with the sorta stuff you might need on the flight

 

 

Treat the flight as part of the holiday, not an endurance test. ie Get into a good mindset. (easier when coming but hard when coming home)