First time on a plane

This is gonna sound kindda silly but oh well. 4 weeks today I shall be winging my way to Canada to spend a fortnight with my girlfriend who I havent seen since march . Only problem is I've never been abroad before, never mind on a plane! Safe to say I have NO idea what to expect, and that I'm more than a bit nervous, when I went into this relationship it slipped my mind that I'd have to take 8 hour flights from Manchester to Toronto to be able to see her. I have no idea what happens with checking in, customs etc. Anyone able to fill me in and maybe give some hints for making the whole thing easier for a nervous first time flyer?

 

Not so sure what to say about checking in; the important thing is to look on your ticket and make sure that you are at the gate you're supposed to be at and be there early. You do not want to get stranded. Mostly I tune out all that stuff so I'm less than helpful on that, sorry!

As far as the flight itself goes...

If you have any kind of inner ear problems, expect the most excrutiating pain you've ever experienced in your life when the pressure in the cabin changes. Good thing is that it passes reletively quickly (not quick enough, but it doesn't last longer than maybe 10 or 15 minutes; maybe even less).

Other than that, since you don't have to deal with the insane and ineffective security we have here in the states the worst thing you'll probably face will be boredom. Take lots of reading material you know you'll be interested in. I don't know if you can listen to your own music (like a walkman or ipod) but find out and then take along a lot of music you like.

Also, you might not want to look out the window during takeoff; I've heard that a lot of people get freaked out by that.

 

Checking in is easy. If you booked your ticket online, then just either print it out or make sure you have a confirmation number. Then you basically walk into the airport, find your ticket desk (basically just look for your airline) and go check in there. They should take your bags. Also make sure you get to the airport at least 2 or 3 hours early. You might have to wait, but better to be early than late.

Make sure you bring lots of gum on the plane. I've never had ear problems as long as I'm chewing on gum. The swallowing helps, I guess. Also, if you're nervous about the ride, down a few shots before you get on the plane and/or take a sleeping pill for the flight. Also, make sure you drink lots of water on the plane. Flights dehydrate you so the more water you drink, the better. I always get flight headaches due to dehyration (but that's mainly because I refuse to drink anything because I won't get up during a flight to go to the bathroom... I hate planes).

Besides that, don't stress yourself out. You might hit turbulance but that's completely normal, so don't worry. I know that I'm a really bad flyer, scared to death and stuff, but for some reason looking out a window REALLY helps. Most people aren't that way at all though. Also, if you have a window seat then you hear the wings doing all their weird stuff and take off and landing, which is kind of unsettling for some people, but normal.

Don't know what to tell you about customs though. Someone else will know.

 

Jumbo jets fly smooth, unless there's turbulence. I was on one and we were relatively high as far as commercial jets go, close to 40K feet. The view was great. Cars and trucks looked like dots.

On smaller planes such as Cessnas and commuters, you almost feel like you're in a balloon swinging around, especially in the summer when the updrafts bounce you around.

.

 

at customs: DO NOT joke about having a bomb or anything, also, make sure your carry on bag or whatever has nothing sharp in it, leave it in yuor suitcase.

and be prepared to be searched if your boots have metal on them that might set off the metal detectors.

and don't leave a lighter in your pocket cos they set it off too.

i speak from experience

other than that, you'll be fine.

good luck

 

Guess I'll be leaving my New Rocks at home then

ooo your from Filey! I love it there, shame the cliffs are erroding so much though. Best fish and chips I've ever had are at that restraunt on the high street

 

haha, try living here for 16 years and then its not so fun

also, which restaurant would that be, we have fish and chip places in abundance.

 

erm....cant remember the name. I remember that its green and theres a pub almost opposite though!

 

hmm, cant think of it off the top o my head, but whatever

 

ah well its good anyway.


Yea I can imagen it'd be a drag acutally living there, but i used to go there every so often with the parental units during the summer. have many fond memories of clambering over the rocks at the bottom of the cliffs at filey brig. last time i went though the tide was in so couldnt get down to 'um

Plus the place is just ace for wildlife as well

 

clambering on the rocks is what me and my friends do best! hehe. but seriously its like the only fun thing to do round here.. and i just noticed one more post and i'll have 400.

 

but theres mini-golf! how can mini-golf not be fun?!

 

haha, yeah there's mini golf. and trampolines. trampolines are more fun than mini golf. but not as fun as getting stuck in some bushes with your friends after you decided to take the 'interesting' route

 

Flying into TO means a confusing airport, but the Canucks are laid back and really nice.

Just travel light, don't fill your pockets with crap, avoid anything sharp or metallic and you'll be OK. Anything you really need (medications etc) put in your hand luggage. So that if you lose your luggage, you just have to buy pyjamas and another set of pants.

Make sure you have the right ID (passport, etc.) and it's current, etc.

Flying is a bit of a drag. Drink water when you get on the plane. Bring something to read. You will NOT be able to sleep.

What will mess you up is that you'll be flying five hours back - so when everyone else wants to hit the clubs at 10pm for you it'll be 3am. And then just after you adjust, you go back and are awake half the night. Take melatonin. Prepare for this by going to bed an hour later every few days, adjust to CDN time.

 

cheers for that Irongoth. You got any idea what the deal with taking electronics (Mp3 players, laptops etc) onto the plane is? Gonna take a couple of books with me but I wanna take my mp3 player as well

 

electronics should be ok, but you should probably ask someone before using the mp3 or whatever, or if not, only use it when you're way up and the seatbelt sign is off, cos that means yu're probably not gonna suddenly crash lol

 

Ok, the news is saying a plane his gone off hte runway at the airport im flying into and burst into flame.

I've none from nervous to needing a change of underwear
I think you might of jinxed it Obituary

 

Don't worry, you're nervousness will soon be replaced by intense boredom. My advice is to take a sleeping pill and wake up in Canada.

I hate long flights. But have fun in Canada. Flying isn't bad, just bring a lot to entertain yourself, or do the sleeping pill thing, it'll kill jet lag.

 

Don't worry man I've still not been on a plane and I'm a major pussy to get on one right away!! Don't worry about it though I here its not bad to fly.

 

wow i still havn't been on a plane yet