The Ups and Downs of Airlines and Air Travel

[KeepItReal]

6 hours ago, mike carey said:

An article from the Economist, perhaps not to be taken entirely seriously, on jet lag.

How to beat jet lag

And enjoy your journey as well

Illustration: Paul Blow

Oct 31st 2024 Listen to this story.

“You want to know the secret to surviving air travel?” the man sitting next to Bruce Willis on the plane asks in “Die Hard”, a film from 1988. “After you get to where you’re going, take off your shoes and your socks, then you walk around on the rug barefoot and make fists with your toes.”

Anyone who has flown across longitudes will be familiar with the havoc air travel plays on your circadian rhythms, causing you to jolt awake at four in the morning and tape your eyes open at four in the afternoon to keep from nodding off. Those in jobs that require them regularly to traverse the globe may find their brains muddled for days after every trip, leaving them tired, disoriented and at elevated risk of irate outbursts.

Less clear is what can be done about it. Dubious advice abounds, from eating chocolate for breakfast and taping plant seeds behind your ears to swallowing Viagra (though a study in 2007 did show that the “little blue pill” helped rodents to overcome jet leg faster). Does anything really help?

There are, unfortunately, no miracle cures for jet lag, despite an obvious market for one. Nevertheless, your guest Bartleby has a few tips you might find useful. If you can, be under the age of 25, though that trick may not work indefinitely. When heading from west to east, take a melatonin tablet and go to bed early for a few nights before you travel (you will almost certainly ignore this advice, as your columnist usually does); when travelling the other way, go to bed a few hours later (much more fun).

When you arrive, coffee or an equally caffeinated beverage will be essential. Remember, though, that there are limits: you may want to stop when your eye begins to twitch, for example. Drink plenty of water, too, as you will be desiccated from your flight. If it is daytime when you land, go for a stroll and soak up some sunlight to get those melatonin levels down. The fresh air will also help clear your head. If there is a pool or the sea nearby, head there for a swim. If you are travelling for business, all this is best done on company time.

The most important question, though, is what to do on the plane journeys to and from your destination. When you board, it is recommended that you turn left, head straight for a business- or first-class seat, wrap yourself in its superior blanket and raise your privacy screen. If you do not have a ticket to sit with the high-flyers it may still be worth a shot. Confidence is of the essence.

If, however, you are escorted back to your allotted position with the common folk, you will need a plan to put yourself to sleep at the right time to reset your body clock. Try another of those melatonin tablets or maybe some CBD oil. If you need something stronger, an antihistamine or prescription hypnotic should do the trick (and may come in handy in the days following your journey). Although such remedies should not be taken on a regular basis, they are to be embraced by those travelling long distances. And don’t forget your eye mask, earplugs and neck pillow.

Nobody wants jet lag to ruin their business trip or the days after they return. Neither, though, should you suffer excessively through your flight. Some suggest that fasting on a plane trip can lessen the effects of jet lag. That sounds to your columnist like a unique form of torture, no matter how dubious the quality of the food on offer may be (there are, after all, plenty of snacks to be had).

Better instead to try to enjoy your time on the plane and release a few endorphins. Flying has its hassles, but it also has its perks, not least of which is the chance to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy a few hours of respite from your responsibilities. A Bloody Mary before lunch followed by an episode or three of “The White Lotus” can turn a tiresome trip into a rare indulgence in a busy schedule. Ignore the in-flight Wi-Fi.

Ultimately, jet lag can be mitigated, but only to a degree. It is an inconvenient consequence of the very convenient fact that modern travellers can fly across multiple time zones in a matter of hours. Explorers who once crossed great distances by foot, boat or camel did not have to deal with jet lag, yet it is doubtful they would have chosen their mode of transport over an Airbus A380.

And after a few days even the most severe case of jet lag will ease and be forgotten. So do your best to relish the journey, despite its side-effects. And feel free to ignore any advice the passenger next to you might want to impart. ■

This is BS. The only real cure is a young man in your lap, feeding you grapes and pineapple.  You know why! 😆

[mike carey]

After a week with two speed-dating sessions for presidents and prime ministers in South America (I'm sorry, that should have read '... the APEC and G20 leaders' summits in Lima and Rio'), the Australian prime minister had the opportunity of another on the way home.

[And hence why I posted in the air travel forum.] The jet streams in the southern hemisphere were uncharacteristically strong this week so the prime-ministerial RAAF jet (a modified A330) flew [apparently] 2,000km further but saved four hours and a refuelling stop by flying east from Brazil. They had a layover in Mauritius, enabling the prime minister to have a meeting with the Mauritian prime minister to add to the god-knows how many he had during the week of speed dating, err Summits. (I think we saw smiling footage of every damn one of them on TV news coverage.)

[+ José Soplanucas]

9 hours ago, mike carey said:

After a week with two speed dating sessions for presidents and prime ministers in South America

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[mike carey]

Random, random, Qantas is acquiring a number of Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft from WestJet. Because of range limitations, they have to fly the long way, hence:

[+ azdr0710]

On 12/16/2024 at 8:39 PM, mike carey said:

Random, random, Qantas is acquiring a number of Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft from WestJet. Because of range limitations, they have to fly the long way, hence:

Somewhat close to the legendary Kangaroo Route!

[mike carey]

1 hour ago, azdr0710 said:

Somewhat close to the legendary Kangaroo Route!

It is! Although I don't recall Sault Ste Marie being on the historic version of the Kangaroo Route.

And interestingly, Makassar is more significant for first nations people in the Top End than places like Singapore that were on early versions of the route. When colonists arrived in the region around Darwin in the mid 19th Century, the local people already had a name for white people. It was (and still is) Balanda (or Ballander), which is derived form Hollander, and brought to them by Makassan traders and fishers.

[+ SundayZip]

I think this a thread where I can finally post one of my pet peeves about air travel. It's how people crowd the baggage carousel. Everyone stands extremely close to the carousel making it difficult to see if your bag on the carousel coming your way. It's the stupidest thing ever. But when everyone does it, you have no choice but do it yourself. Or, if you stand back and try to watch through gaps in the crowd, you have to  squeeze through people to retrieve your bag.  I was recently at an airport that had created a no-stand zone around the perimeter of the baggage carousel. Yes! I hope this catches on at other airports.

[SirBillybob]

7 hours ago, SundayZip said:

I think this a thread where I can finally post one of my pet peeves about air travel. It's how people crowd the baggage carousel. Everyone stands extremely close to the carousel making it difficult to see if your bag on the carousel coming your way. It's the stupidest thing ever. But when everyone does it, you have no choice but do it yourself. Or, if you stand back and try to watch through gaps in the crowd, you have to  squeeze through people to retrieve your bag.  I was recently at an airport that had created a no-stand zone around the perimeter of the baggage carousel. Yes! I hope this catches on at other airports.

You’ve made a strong and convincing air travel suit case.

[MikeBiDude]

9 hours ago, SundayZip said:

I think this a thread where I can finally post one of my pet peeves about air travel. It's how people crowd the baggage carousel. Everyone stands extremely close to the carousel making it difficult to see if your bag on the carousel coming your way. It's the stupidest thing ever. But when everyone does it, you have no choice but do it yourself. Or, if you stand back and try to watch through gaps in the crowd, you have to  squeeze through people to retrieve your bag.  I was recently at an airport that had created a no-stand zone around the perimeter of the baggage carousel. Yes! I hope this catches on at other airports.

I’ve got very good at making carry-on bags work for me. Haven’t check a bag in a couple years. Recent years: Greece, Egypt, Asia, London, it’s all a mindset how much you really need to take.

[mike carey]

34 minutes ago, MikeBiDude said:

I’ve got very good at making carry-on bags work for me. Haven’t check a bag in a couple years. Recent years: Greece, Egypt, Asia, London, it’s all a mindset how much you really need to take.

I prefer to travel with a checked bag, and yes I'm as liable as anyone to take stuff I don't need, or at least end up not using. I like not having the pressure to use every cubic millimetre of space in my bag, and being able to take non-US TSA carry-on compliant toiletries or throw a water bottle into my bag, minor points I know. Never more than one bag, and as small as I can manage (not that I have dozens to chose from).

Annoying people at carousels, of course there are. Most people crowd where the bags come up onto the conveyor, but if I'm lucky I sometimes get there first and *touch wood* priority baggage gets my bag there early on. Other times I find that if I pick a point close to the arrivals hall exit nobody else is there. I try not to stress about the cretins pushing and shoving, it doesn't make things any better!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

11 hours ago, SundayZip said:

I think this a thread where I can finally post one of my pet peeves about air travel. It's how people crowd the baggage carousel. Everyone stands extremely close to the carousel making it difficult to see if your bag on the carousel coming your way. It's the stupidest thing ever. But when everyone does it, you have no choice but do it yourself. Or, if you stand back and try to watch through gaps in the crowd, you have to  squeeze through people to retrieve your bag.  I was recently at an airport that had created a no-stand zone around the perimeter of the baggage carousel. Yes! I hope this catches on at other airports.

Some may find it amusing when a large person, like myself, lifts his bag from the carousel but accidentally knocks over an adjacent small person who crowded close to the carousel only to put themselves in harms way of the bag.

[MikeBiDude]

2 hours ago, mike carey said:

I prefer to travel with a checked bag

I have a winter trip to Finland in March where I’ll be chasing the Northern Lights far north near the arctic circle. May have to check a bag for the bulky clothes!

[+ SundayZip]

12 hours ago, MikeBiDude said:

I’ve got very good at making carry-on bags work for me. Haven’t check a bag in a couple years. Recent years: Greece, Egypt, Asia, London, it’s all a mindset how much you really need to take.

It was my goal, a few years back, to travel with just a carry-on. But now I almost always check my bag, even if it's carry-on size. I tend to get to the airport early to avoid the stress of not knowing how long lines will be, etc. I check my bag, get through the lines then move about with nothing but my carry-on backpack. Getting some  exercise doing a brisk walk around the airport is preferable to sitting at the gate or in a lounge (for me, anyway). 

[CuriousByNature]

1 hour ago, SundayZip said:

It was my goal, a few years back, to travel with just a carry-on. But now I almost always check my bag, even if it's carry-on size. I tend to get to the airport early to avoid the stress of not knowing how long lines will be, etc. I check my bag, get through the lines then move about with nothing but my carry-on backpack. Getting some  exercise doing a brisk walk around the airport is preferable to sitting at the gate or in a lounge (for me, anyway). 

After my first few travel experiences dragging around a suitcase without wheels, I learned how to pare down my packing and get all of it into a carry-on and personal bag.  Even for cruises where there may be a formal night - to me it isn't worth the worry that my bag could go missing between airports.  And I also learned that many things I used to pack were not ultimately necessary, or could be bought in the city I was traveling to if required.

[+ Lucky]

A cruise with a formal night is exactly the kind of cruise I would skip.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 1/28/2025 at 6:00 AM, CuriousByNature said:

After my first few travel experiences dragging around a suitcase without wheels, I learned how to pare down my packing and get all of it into a carry-on and personal bag.  Even for cruises where there may be a formal night - to me it isn't worth the worry that my bag could go missing between airports.  And I also learned that many things I used to pack were not ultimately necessary, or could be bought in the city I was traveling to if required.

I have adopted the habit of dressing in my suit for travel in First Class on flights.  The suite usually serves as the base for my evening attire on a cruise.  The stewards/stewardesses offer to hang my jacket in the closet at the front of the plane so it is not wrinkled.  This way, I can arrive for the cruise not only with enough room in my luggage, but my jacket won't get wrinkled in the luggage either.

Edited February 4 by Vegas_Millennial

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

2 hours ago, Lucky said:

A cruise with a formal night is exactly the kind of cruise I would skip.

Yeah, I've come to dislike them myself, which is why I've steered by clients to lines like Virgin, VIking, Explora, etc.

[CuriousByNature]

1 hour ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Yeah, I've come to dislike them myself, which is why I've steered by clients to lines like Virgin, VIking, Explora, etc.

Me as well.  The past few cruises I've done have spoiled me with the expectation of 'resort casual'.  

[MikeThomas]

Lately I’ve been shipping my luggage.  The courier picks it up at my home and delivers to my hotel or stateroom.

[MikeThomas]

With regard to formal nights…

I’ve only encountered them on Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings.  Great fun meeting a hot guy in a tuxedo, taking him back to my cabin, and then…

[+ SundayZip]

7 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Yeah, I've come to dislike them myself, which is why I've steered by clients to lines like Virgin, VIking, Explora, etc.

Wearing a suit on vacation? Not if I can help it. I keep a few ties, a blazer, and a sport coat for weddings and funerals, but that's it for me. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

15 hours ago, MikeThomas said:

With regard to formal nights…

I’ve only encountered them on Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings.  Great fun meeting a hot guy in a tuxedo, taking him back to my cabin, and then…

This is one of the few times on a cruise ship (well, liner) that I'll pack a tux.

It's just what you do when you're on the QM2.

I mistakenly took a sport coat the first time I went on Ritz-Carlton's small ship, but found that I never needed it.  

I was a little shocked to see that concept so casual.  Not a bad thing, but not expecting it.

[MikeThomas]

3 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

This is one of the few times on a cruise ship (well, liner) that I'll pack a tux.

It's just what you do when you're on the QM2.

I mistakenly took a sport coat the first time I went on Ritz-Carlton's small ship, but found that I never needed it.  

I was a little shocked to see that concept so casual.  Not a bad thing, but not expecting it.

Last October on RC’s Ilma cruising the Amalfi Coast they had a White Party.  It was fun… but nothing like the WPs I remember in Palm Springs!

 

I bet you look hot in a tux!  Photos? 

[mike carey]

54 minutes ago, MikeThomas said:

I bet you look hot in a tux!  Photos? 

Nah, don't ask for photos, just hire him!

But since you had already asked ....

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

1 hour ago, MikeThomas said:

Photos?