View Full Version : Transatlantic Flying...
Right then. Very soon I am leaving in the dead of night for Gatwick, then I'm flying to America, then I'm getting a second flight, then, hopefully, collapsing into the arms of my severely missed other half.
I have never been to America before, I've never been on a plane more than three hours, I'm scared of flying, I've never travelled to another country alone before, etc. etc. I'm frightened :(
Tips for making this kind of journey less hellish?
trashpony
09-09-2006, 19:52
Who are you flying with? My advice depends on that :)
trashpony
09-09-2006, 20:01
Okay. In that case you need to take entertainment. You will need books, magazines, ipod type thing, sudoku, whatever. Their in-flight entertainment isn't marvellous but you'll get by. The thing about long flights is that they're just very, very dull. They not more scary than short ones, just more boring. So lots of entertainment which isn't too taxing is key. Wearing headphones so that you can block out the irritating conversation of any neighbour is also important.
You will also need layers and very comfy clothes and thick socks so that you can walk around the cabin without your shoes on - this is not the time for glamour. Long plane journeys are chilly. Ask for an extra blanket. And if you have an sleep mask and ear plugs, they're not a bad idea either.
And take a big bottle of water - a 2 litre one if you can buy them plane side or squeeze one into your bag.
Don't backchat the customs people, be polite and answer all their questions. Make sure you know the address of where you are going to be staying.
Your boyfriend will be at the other end so you'll have a lovely time. :)
Thanks, you have just made me smile!
Am packing extra socks right now :)
This is what I posted on another thread
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=127589
perhaps:-
* Find out more about what happens during take off and landing so its not a surprise
If you have questions, try submiting questions to this site, and if you're lucky, you might get an answer from an airline pilot (or someone like me :p )
http://pprune.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=61
(SLF is what pilots call passengers, self loading freight)
I'm a student pilot, so I'm not an expert on big planes. But from the few times I've flown, the sequence is something like this:-
*"Doors to automatic", doors are set so that as soon as they open, a slide pops out.
*On the runway or taxing out, slats and flaps are deployed, makes the wing bigger and gives it more lift (whining/whirring noise)
*On the runway, engines wind up to full power and away you go.;)
*In the air, first the landing gear is retracted (which might cause a thud) and a short while later the slats and flaps (http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=1c2i69dqbw7q6?method=4&dsname=Wikipedia+Images&dekey=Wing.slat.600pix.jpg&gwp=8&sbid=lc03b&linktext=%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fcontent.answers.com%2Fmain%2Fcontent%2Fwp%2Fen%2Fthumb%2Fd%2Fd1%2F250px-Wing.slat.600pix.jpg%22%20alt%3D%22The%20position%20of%20the%20leading%20edge%20slats%20on%20an%20airliner%20(Airbus%20A310).%20In%20this%20picture%2C%20the%20slats%20are%20extended.%22%20height%3D%22337%22%20width%3D%22250%22%3E)are pulled in (more whining/whirring noise). When these are pulled in, the aircraft might drop a little bit. Then the plane turns left or right to get into the correct air corridor, it might seem steep but if you where in the driving seat it would look quite tame.
When the plane lands, it has to reverse the take off sequence. Main difference, when the plane lands, the engine thrust is reversed to slow the plane down (a lot of noise) and if you have a window seat over the wing. you can see the air brakes (http://kazza.kazza.id.au/mt-archives/images2004/tt-wings3.jpg).
Enjoy your holiday.
(If you board the plane using steps and you hear a lot of noise, thats the apu whirring away. The APU or Auxiliary Power Unit is an extra engine placed inside the aircraft's tail, its used when the aircraft is parked to drive the lights and air conditioning systems. In the air, APU is not needed and the engines provide the electrical power.)
I'm a fairly reluctant flyer, but with transatlantic flights I find you forget about it altogether once you are cruising comfortably at the highest altitude. I went with American Airlines, and the stuff on the mini TV and the radio they had was pretty lame.
The thing about long flights is that they're just very, very dull. They not more scary than short ones, just more boring.
Innit.
So lots of entertainment which isn't too taxing is key. Wearing headphones so that you can block out the irritating conversation of any neighbour is also important.
I checked for you - http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/flight_status_updates/advisories/uk_travel_notice/index.jsp - it seems Delta will let you take a walkcreature on.
And take a big bottle of water - a 2 litre one if you can buy them plane side or squeeze one into your bag.
But they will not allow that. Or hand cream or anything fluid.
Don't backchat the customs people, be polite and answer all their questions. Make sure you know the address of where you are going to be staying.
Do not attempt any kind of conversation with customs or - particularly - immigration people.
Wait for their questions. Answer them clearly and concisely.
Answer them as if your arrival in the US is a perfectly routine matter - expressing confidence and deference at the same time is the goal :)
The agenda of the immigration people is to make sure that you do not cost the US taxpayer anything and that you are not planning to stay. (Do not mention this. That might be taken as humour. Attempts at humour with US officialdom are lethal, unless they initiate them*.)
Therefore, in the unlikely** event that immigration people ask questions of someone who, presumably, has just signed the Visa Waiver form, you want to produce, as asked:
The address you will be staying at, as noted;
Your return ticket
A reason why you have to return - job, special event, sick grandmother you have to see, whatever
Evidence that you can support yourself financially for the duration of your stay - they like people with credit cards
Your boyfriend will be at the other end so you'll have a lovely time. :)
Hope so :)
* As in:
Laptop, returning to the US from a visit to the UK, has rolled a ciggy while waiting to get off the plane and has it perched behind his ear. Laptop is fully aware that the only artefact in the continental USA, barring cowboy territory, resembling a hand-rolled ciggie is a joint.
Immigration officer: And, Sir, where did you get that fine cigarette?
Laptop: I made it myself!!
Immigration officer: Enjoy your stay, Sir...
** You will have signed the Visa Waiver form. This is basically a promise to the US Immigration authorities that you acknowlege that they are in charge, that you will do no work in the US, and if they chuck you out for any reason or none you will not object. This is why it is unlikely that they will question you.
I really, really wouldn't send a nervous flyer to pprune.org !
Thanks Hal, but er...
When the plane lands, it has to reverse the take off sequence. Main difference, when the plane lands, the engine thrust is reversed to slow the plane down (a lot of noise) and if you have a window seat over the wing. you can see the air brakes.
When I last flew, about a half hour before landing, there was a very loud 'shutting down' noise that only I seemed to hear, and the plane seemed to slow right down - I literally thought we were about to drop out of the sky and if I hadn't had three mates around I could've gotten pretty hysterical. Is that the engine thrust reversing, then... :confused:
I'm a fairly reluctant flyer, but with transatlantic flights I find you forget about it altogether once you are cruising comfortably at the highest altitude. I went with American Airlines, and the stuff on the mini TV and the radio they had was pretty lame.
Yeah, it's the landing and take-off that are the scary bits... hopefully I'll just be bored in the actual flying part :cool:
phildwyer
09-09-2006, 20:43
You could always get off with the person sitting next to you. This actually happened to me on a transatlantic flight once, it made the journey, er, fly by.
Thanks Hal, but er...
When I last flew, about a half hour before landing, there was a very loud 'shutting down' noise that only I seemed to hear, and the plane seemed to slow right down
After several hours of getting used to the drone of the engines pushing the plane along at 600mph five miles up, the relative quiet of going slower and lower can sound quite loud, IYSWIM )
And planes often do have to slow down to get in the queue for the runway. They're designed to do this, and the plane you're on did it on the way in before you got on it, so you know it can do it.
E2A: After you're on the runway you may hear a clunk and you may hear a roaring noise from the thrust reversers.
Before that, but after the plane is low enough to see houses, you may hear various clunks and whirrs that include the doors covering the wheels opening, the wheels unfolding, and slats extending on the wings to re-shape them for flying low and slow toward the runway. You may not hear them if you're sat right at the back.
Do not attempt any kind of conversation with customs or - particularly - immigration people.
Wait for their questions. Answer them clearly and concisely.
Answer them as if your arrival in the US is a perfectly routine matter - expressing confidence and deference at the same time is the goal :)
The agenda of the immigration people is to make sure that you do not cost the US taxpayer anything and that you are not planning to stay. (Do not mention this. That might be taken as humour. Attempts at humour with US officialdom are lethal, unless they initiate them*.)
Therefore, in the unlikely** event that immigration people ask questions of someone who, presumably, has just signed the Visa Waiver form, you want to produce, as asked:
The address you will be staying at, as noted;
Your return ticket
A reason why you have to return - job, special event, sick grandmother you have to see, whatever
Evidence that you can support yourself financially for the duration of your stay - they like people with credit cards
:eek: I didn't realise... I am quite good at being polite though.
The address I'll be staying at is just my boyfriend's apartment in his university halls... please tell me this won't be a problem.
Also, er, I don't really have any evidence that I can support myself financially. I have about a hundred American dollars cash, a twenty pound note and about 250 pounds worth of space in my overdraft. No credit card... :(
You could always get off with the person sitting next to you. This actually happened to me on a transatlantic flight once, it made the journey, er, fly by.
I'm flying half way round the world for my boyfriend - that's pretty committed for me :cool:
Although I can imagine it would really pass the time...
:eek: I didn't realise... I am quite good at being polite though.
Not knowing you, and knowing urbanites' sense of humour, it seemed to be a good idea in general to warn against deploying it.
The address I'll be staying at is just my boyfriend's apartment in his university halls... please tell me this won't be a problem.
Also, er, I don't really have any evidence that I can support myself financially. I have about a hundred American dollars cash, a twenty pound note and about 250 pounds worth of space in my overdraft. No credit card... :(
But you have a university course to which you are really committed and you have to return to the UK to finish it. And you have a return ticket. And, if asked, he will be feeding you.
You'll be OK.
But you have a university course to which you are really committed and you have to return to the UK to finish it. And you have a return ticket. And, if asked, he will be feeding you.
You'll be OK.
Sweet. Thanks so much :) xxx
trashpony
09-09-2006, 20:56
:eek: I didn't realise... I am quite good at being polite though.
The address I'll be staying at is just my boyfriend's apartment in his university halls... please tell me this won't be a problem.
Also, er, I don't really have any evidence that I can support myself financially. I have about a hundred American dollars cash, a twenty pound note and about 250 pounds worth of space in my overdraft. No credit card... :(
That's fine - as long as you have a return ticket. They've never actually checked my wallet - they'll just ask you how you're intending to pay for things while you're there and you can say you're staying with him. Just speak when you're spoken to and you'll be fine. :)
We've given you something else to think about rather than worrying about the flight :D
That's fine - as long as you have a return ticket. They've never actually checked my wallet - they'll just ask you how you're intending to pay for things while you're there and you can say you're staying with him. Just speak when you're spoken to and you'll be fine. :)
We've given you something else to think about rather than worrying about the flight :D
Hopefully I'll be too shattered to get resentful in the face of authority/bureaucracy... :D
You have helped, masses x
We've given you something else to think about rather than worrying about the flight :D
Immigration officials (of countries of which you are not a citizen) are more dangerous than aeroplanes :(
But not to people making perfectly routine holiday visits :)
Only one other thing, laney: you are not and never have been and never want to be a journalist and you didn't see me, OK?
Immigration officials (of countries of which you are not a citizen) are more dangerous than aeroplanes :(
But not to people making perfectly routine holiday visits :)
Only one other thing, laney: you are not and never have been and never want to be a journalist and you didn't see me, OK?
Deal :cool:
I feel like I have insider knowledge!
When I last flew, about a half hour before landing, there was a very loud 'shutting down' noise that only I seemed to hear, and the plane seemed to slow right down - I literally thought we were about to drop out of the sky and if I hadn't had three mates around I could've gotten pretty hysterical. Is that the engine thrust reversing, then...
Laptop's answer to the above questions sounds about right, on the piston plane I fly, somthing I do quite frequently is to reduce engine to idle, I can then lose height for landing (from 2200 rpm to 700rpm). Big planes use jet engines, but the idea's the same.
Don't bring any liquids or makeup, they made my mom throw out her mascara the day this scare came about. There were (as of Thursday) signs up all over Heathrow about not bringing any liquids, gels or makeup on US bound flights, including anything bought at the airport.
Noise cancelling headphones are really helpful. Even if you're not listening to anything, if you keep them on they will block out the airplane noise, which after 4 hours starts to do your head in. (Only problem is they start to hurt my ears after a while, so earplugs are good as well.)
1 hour into the flight, they'll bring around drinks. 30 minutes after that you'll get a meal, which won't be collected again for another hour, so that brings you to about 2.5 hours into the flight. Then go to sleep. About an hour and a half before the flight is over, they'll bring you another round of drinks and a snack, so you've got time for a good 3-4 hour sleep if you can, depending on where you're flying to.
You can ask for drinks or snacks in between if you need more. US carriers charge for alcoholic drinks (but not soft drinks), so bring money if you plan on drinking.
Don't wear shoes that fit too tightly, I have to wear flip flops or slip ons or I can't get my shoes back on! I'm only 28, too! :o
safe journey to you :)
Just to let people know that I made it :)
South Carolina is rather difficult to describe, but I'm having an awesome time and I've met some seriously beautiful and sweet Americans.
The immigration people were not amused.
I was fed peanuts, ice cream, pizza, a meal, and continuous drinks on the flight. I also got to watch the Little Mermaid and be reassured by an over-friendly employee of Wal Mart :D Not having my make-up was a bit of a nightmare but I overcame it somehow.
You guys were all brilliant, cheers x
anotherTzone
22-09-2006, 12:58
I took 16 flights in 9 months last year. And beleive they get more boring as they go. Longest was to Australia. Being scrutched up in economy aint the way to go. Oh and i never sleep but the missus does, cheers. :(
kyser_soze
22-09-2006, 13:04
20mg of valium should bomb you out for a transatlantic flight, then you simply won't care what happens.
How long is the initial flight? You flying into NY? Piece of piss - same as getting on a tube/train (and less likely to crash), only it's more boring.
Gavin Bl
24-09-2006, 08:36
I wasn't a good flyer for a long time - things I found alarming, but found out are perfectly normal.
* thundering down the runway, bumping all the way
* mad angle of ascent
* very alarming feeling when the plane banks away after take off
* occasional bumps with turbulence
* increasing bumpiness on descent
* scream of engines in reverse when you land, and of course, the bump.
All normal, some may not happen. I felt alot better when I found out that a plane really does want to stay in the air, the way its built etc, its essentially floating on a cushion of air, it wants to stay there.
Have plenty of water, and don't drink too much alcohol.
The Groke
24-09-2006, 08:45
20mg of valium should bomb you out for a transatlantic flight, then you simply won't care what
Problem with that, is that you get off the plane too monged to deal with immigration properly.
As others have mentioned on this thread, US immigration officials are a bunch of officious, paranoid, humourless fuck-knuckles and dealing with them can take a degree of alertness.
I got in to a disagreement with them whilst flying to NZ via a one night stopover in LA. They insisted I removed all of the locks on our cases before submitting them to luggage. I refused, citing that we had valuable stuff in there that I didn't want "going missing" and I wasn't about to leave myself open to acquiring any "additional items" which could have caused me trouble further down the line.
He disagreed and was probably on the verge of having me discretely pulled-aside and shot or beaten (or whatever it is the police do to you in LA) before the missus wisely dragged me away and shut me up.
The Groke
24-09-2006, 08:48
Oh and to add:
When filling out your immigration card, if you go over any of the lines, have to correct anything, fill it out in the wrong colour ink or complete it in any less than an absolutely perfect fashion, then throw it away and start again.
When we were queuing at passport control, person after person after person got handed a fresh card and bluntly told to fuck off the the back of the (by this time very long) queue and fill it out again.
When the stewardess hands out the cards on the flight, take a few of them!
snorbury
24-09-2006, 08:49
They're just everyday people doing a very difficult job http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040110/ed2.jpg
The Groke
24-09-2006, 08:51
They're just everyday people doing a very difficult job http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040110/ed2.jpg
No, they are a - and I quote:
bunch of officious, paranoid, humourless fuck-knuckles
snorbury
24-09-2006, 08:54
They think they're normal;)
I got in to a disagreement with them whilst flying to NZ via a one night stopover in LA. They insisted I removed all of the locks on our cases before submitting them to luggage. I refused, citing that we had valuable stuff in there that I didn't want "going missing" and I wasn't about to leave myself open to acquiring any "additional items" which could have caused me trouble further down the line.
.
Well, I understand your anger, but you have the US Congress to blame for that, not the immigration staff personally. After 9/11 Bush put a lot of pressure on congress to blindly rush in a number of ridiculous laws to make people feel more secure, not really thinking about the consequences. This being one of them.
Did you know they inspect something like 1 in 4 of these bags, as well? You get your luggage back and open it, and somewhere stuffed in the middle of all your things is a note from TSA saying they've searched your things.
The Groke
24-09-2006, 09:04
Well, I understand your anger, but you have the US Congress to blame for that, not the immigration staff personally.
Fair enough, but unfortunately they are the visable face of those policies, and therefore bear the brunt of my irritation.
Maybe I just got unlucky, but having travelled to a fair few places (U.S.A only once, I will admit) with equally strict immigration policies to enforce (NZ, Australia) LA was the only place where the immigration staff seemed to go out of their way to be intimidating and unpleasant whilst carrying out their duties.
Fair enough, but unfortunately they are the visable face of those policies, and therefore bear the brunt of my irritation.
Maybe I just got unlucky, but having travelled to a fair few places (U.S.A only once, I will admit) with equally strict immigration policies to enforce (NZ, Australia) LA was the only place where the immigration staff seemed to go out of their way to be intimidating and unpleasant whilst carrying out their duties.
US Immigration is always like this... In the past I've known them to make homophobic and racist remarks. Basically let them say and do whatever they want and realise the vast majority of Americans aren't like this.
The Groke
24-09-2006, 09:27
US Immigration is always like this... In the past I've known them to make homophobic and racist remarks. Basically let them say and do whatever they want and realise the vast majority of Americans aren't like this.
You are right of course.
I just hate the feeling of impotence that these people press upon you - the fact that they know and you know that a raised eyebrow from them is all it takes to have you stripped, violated and generally humiliated...at best. It could of course be much worse.
I actually really enjoy flying into and out of Dubai now I live here: I have an "e-gate" card, the account of which which has my fingerprints and other details etc (dons foil hat)
Going in and out of the country, I don't have to deal with anyone, I just go through a special gate, with no queue and swipe card + push finger on pad.
:cool:
I just hate the feeling of impotence that these people press upon you - the fact that they know and you know that a raised eyebrow from them is all it takes to have you stripped, violated and generally humiliated...at best. It could of course be much worse.
The first time I had to deal with US immigration I was fairly amazed at how rude (and insulting) they were compared to other countries immigration. Now I just ignore it as its just (at most) 5 mins of hummiliation every 2/3 years... Its enough to make me avoid going to the US on a casual whim, but nothing to stop me going there for a holiday... And the benefits of the US (nice people, good food, cheap, cheap prices for everything) outweigh the 5 mins of hassle...
I actually really enjoy flying into and out of Dubai now I live here: I have an "e-gate" card, the account of which which has my fingerprints and other details etc (dons foil hat)
Don't you know what heart-attacks that idea is giving the tin-foil-hatted brigade as the US and UK are trying to implement it...?
The Groke
24-09-2006, 10:06
Don't you know what heart-attacks that idea is giving the tin-foil-hatted brigade as the US and UK are trying to implement it...?
It makes my life way easier and I don't really see it being that much different to a passport as a method of identification.....
I don't have a problem with fingerprints and biometric identification per se, but I am cautious as to how that data is used and by whom.
Delta? Twice.It seems Delta lets you listen to the pilot - air traffic control conversations on your seat headset. :cool:
Link (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2794902&postcount=5)
As others have mentioned on this thread, US immigration officials are a bunch of officious, paranoid, humourless fuck-knuckles and dealing with them can take a degree of alertness.UK officials are no different, you just don't notice it cos you don't have to go thru immigration. Same rules apply really: speak only when ur spoken to, have everything ready, be faultless, prove you're not gonna cost the country any money, etc, etc. I have never seen any immigration officer smile or joke regardless of the country i travelled to.
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