International Travelling

[LAQ]

I'm going to the Phillipines on January 1 (and staying there for three weeks; to think, no internet for all that time! ) to see all the relatives on my Mom's side. I'm really excited about going, but I'm not sure what to expect while flying. It's been nearly 10 years since I was last on a plane, and even then it was just across the US.

What's it like going through security? Has airline food improved any? Will there be turbulance (I really hope so. I love bumpy and exciting rides. ) while flying over the Pacific? What are the odds I'll end up stranded on an deserted island like in Lost? And more importantly, how am I going to entertain myself for 18 hours??

[ahoteinrun]

Airplane foods quality depends purely on what airline you're flying with. I strongly suggest however, trying to get a Kosher meal, as they're normally the best out of all meals available on north american flights.
Airport security... is meh. I've gone through bag checks (and a strip search! My bras underwire was setting off the metal detector. That was not a fun time in Egypt.)

I suggest books (unless you get motion sick), or travel games. Surprisingly, cards are fun on the plane so long as you have someone who likes them too. Travel version chess, and checkers and such... with magnets are fun.

*shrugs* You can bring Cd players and such on, but just make sure you're allowed to use them first.

[Cyanna]

*is jealous*

Other then Canada (which is really just a 6 hour drive from where I live) and I've never been to another country.

Unless...is Bermuda a country or is it part of another country? I'm afraid I don't know much about the history.

*wants to see Europe*

[Illumination]

I went on a plane only 11 days ago and I'm going on one again in 19 days. I've never flown across the Pacific Ocean, but since your flight is 18 hours, I would say expect some turbulance. 10 years ago I was 4 so I don't remember anything from then, although I had been on a plane when I was 4 . Going through security? I've never really been thoroughly searched, all I've had to do was put my bag in that.. what do you call it.. they just use some machine to sorta look through your bag and see what's inside, to see if you're carrying any dangerous objects (eg. knives, scissors and even nail clippers). I actually forgot I had a pair of scissors in my pencil case, which was in my bag one day, and I got through security.. I only realised halfway through the flight.

How to entertain yourself.. the best way would be to watch a movie you like on the plane I think. Their entertainment system can really entertain you for a long time. I find aeroplane food usually quite good. Sleeping can be good way to pass the time.

lol I've never been searched like that, haha what did they do when your bras underwire made the alarm go off?

[Alex]

What's it like going through security?

That really depends on where you're going.. the security was pretty good going to China a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had too much trouble, and I've flown quite a bit. The worst was when they searched my bag in New Zealand because they thought my puffer was a bomb or something o.O

Has airline food improved any?

Nope! Well, I found the dinners to be better than they used to, but I didn't touch the breakfast for 2 out of 3 flights. The first one put me off

Will there be turbulance (I really hope so. I love bumpy and exciting rides. ) while flying over the Pacific?

There's usually slight turbulance on most flights - again, I'm kinda used to it, but it's not that bad =P

What are the odds I'll end up stranded on an deserted island like in Lost?

Probably one in a billion or something. Though it'd be fun! As long as there's hot guys.

And more importantly, how am I going to entertain myself for 18 hours??

By watching the movies Who are you flying with?

And so ends Alex's travelling lesson

[Sock]

Last time I flew (last April or so), airplane food was still crud. XP

Security always differs, but I'm usually alright.

And occupying yourself...I agreee with ahoteinrun. CD players, books, travel games. If you're a writer or an artist, you might want to bring a sketchpad or a notebook. Even if you're not an artist, you can bring a sketchpad for doodling I also usually bring my laptop, just for writing or something.

[Yoshi]

Hmmm, I've never had any security problems (although there was a strange time when my mom's shoe buckle kept setting off the alarm and no one could figure it out until after awhile). However, after 9/11, they're really cracking down on stuff. Don't bring a Swiss Army knife in your handcarry bag, and be prepared for them to check your electronics, like Gameboys, cameras, CD players, etc.

Airline food is always bad unless you're above Economy Class or if you're having Cup Noodles. ;P

Eep, as for turbulence, it depends. It gets really really uncomfortable sometimes (feels like driving over kilometres and kilometres of unfinished concrete), so don't get too excited.

Odds of being stranded are low. Odds of being delayed, however, are not so low.

In the 18 hours, make sure to get up and move (I once sat/slept through an entire 14 hour flight- when I got off, I could barely walk cause my blood circulation was kinda cut off. It's actually life-threatening, so don't attempt it. Meep.). Walk around the plane, watch the movies, make sure to move your feet around, play a game, listen to music...anything you want.

Out of curiousity, what airline are you going on? Lots of ways to entertain yourself and enjoy the flight (I usually HATE flying, with the exception of my last flight in which I was promoted to Business Class) depend on that factor.

[Christopher]

The worst was when they searched my bag in New Zealand because they thought my puffer was a bomb or something o.O

New Zealand has plenty of reason to check your bag for explosives XD

[Harmony crystals]

Well i've been on a plane to new york and that was 7hours (last year)
Airline food stinks....it's terrible but yeah ecomony classes can have better food. Entertainment can last for the whole flight is the little tvs on the seat in front of you that let you watch movies and play games but they are quite stupid. Well yeah, there will be quite alot of turbulance if you are on a 18hour flight, it's not always fun...when you go to the toilet it's usally scary cause you don't want turbulance while your in the toilet.

[Shifty]

As Yoshi said, move around... Sitting on a plane for more then 12 hours may lead to being paralyzed....
My mom who works in a hospital told me about a woman who flew in from the US to have heart surgery here... Well, she sat the entire flight, and in the end she died, and it wasn't because of the surgery.

Airport security is a pain... On my last flight the alarm went off, so I ended taking off my belt and necklace.. But that wasn't too bad.

As for entertainment... Most airlines have movies... You can also get a magazine at the airport, or bring one with you...

[[angel]]

Odds of being stranded are low. Odds of being delayed, however, are not so low.

Heh, I'm afraid that's very true...I've never been on an aeroplane for more than two hours, but once our flight to Hungary was delayed by f-o-u-r hours, which was...not nice, particularly since it was past midnight when we actually managed to depart. However, if you're travelling with a good company that's much less likely to happen.

Food is usually aroundabout edible...we were promoted to Business Class once too and practically got a whole three-course meal, complete with drinks, but yeah, most things depend on what company you're travelling with and in what class.

As to what to do for 18 hours, well, as I said, I've never been on a plane for that long before, so don't go taking advice from me What Yoshi said seems logical though, so.

Have a nice time, anyway!

[Paulisacretin]

I find that if you loudly make jokes about bombs and terrorism, the whole queing process becomes a lot more exciting, or at least it was for me the last time I went on a plane. The beatings in the cell weren't that great, but it made for some cracking holiday photos!

[meowth1982]

I find that if you loudly make jokes about bombs and terrorism, the whole queing process becomes a lot more exciting, or at least it was for me the last time I went on a plane. The beatings in the cell weren't that great, but it made for some cracking holiday photos!

*puts a hand over her mouth* darn it skullsplitter, I should know better than to be drinking something while reading your posts. I don't like it when soda comes out my nose from laughter...

[Rachel]

i fly a long way quite often (the UK to australia and back - about twice a year). I take my CD player (and a wallet full of CD's) on the plane with me to entertain myself, because you can't always rely on good films etc. you're not allowed to listen to them in take off and landing, but during the flight its fine.

I havent experienced mush turbulance, a little bit on a few flights, and some interesting landings.

other than that i think everyone has mentioned everything. the food isnt too bad, but it depends on the airline (and your seat, i was in the last row served last time and didnt get a choice on one of my flights). Oh, and when you check in always ask to have seats as far forward as possible, they're better.

[Uncle Xyzzy]

What are the odds I'll end up stranded on an deserted island like in Lost?

I'm pretty sure about a billion million, last time I heard, but surviving it is WAY less.