Sleeping on long flights - What's the secret?

"gatt" wrote in message
...

"C. Osbourne" wrote in message news:f_iod.134853$

Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?

Benadryl works great.

One time I flew to London on a 747 sandwiched between a French guy and a
fellow from Hong Kong, neither of whom spoke english. For the love of God.

Does that mean that you had to talk to them in French and Cantonese?

JohnT

JohnT wrote:
"gatt" wrote in message
...

"C. Osbourne" wrote in message news:f_iod.134853$


Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?

Benadryl works great.

One time I flew to London on a 747 sandwiched between a French guy and a
fellow from Hong Kong, neither of whom spoke english. For the love of God.


Does that mean that you had to talk to them in French and Cantonese?

JohnT

No - it means that he was one of the very fortunate few who manage to
get through a seemingly interminable flight without having to indulge in
inane conversation with the person next to them.

Sylvia.

Sylvia Else wrote:

JohnT wrote:
"gatt" wrote in message
...

"C. Osbourne" wrote in message news:f_iod.134853$


Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?

Benadryl works great.

One time I flew to London on a 747 sandwiched between a French guy and a
fellow from Hong Kong, neither of whom spoke english. For the love of God.


Does that mean that you had to talk to them in French and Cantonese?

JohnT

No - it means that he was one of the very fortunate few who manage to
get through a seemingly interminable flight without having to indulge in
inane conversation with the person next to them.

I can see the possible issue.

For myself, however, I can say that I've had quite a few pleasant conversations on
long flights.

I was mildly amused when on a Dubai - Bombay sector, the cabin crew asked me to
befriend an older passenger they seated next to me. Nice old guy actually. Shame
about the A300.


Graham

Pooh Bear wrote in message ...
Sylvia Else wrote:

JohnT wrote:
"gatt" wrote in message
...

"C. Osbourne" wrote in message news:f_iod.134853$


Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?

Benadryl works great.

One time I flew to London on a 747 sandwiched between a French guy and a
fellow from Hong Kong, neither of whom spoke english. For the love of God.


Does that mean that you had to talk to them in French and Cantonese?

JohnT

No - it means that he was one of the very fortunate few who manage to
get through a seemingly interminable flight without having to indulge in
inane conversation with the person next to them.

I can see the possible issue.

For myself, however, I can say that I've had quite a few pleasant conversations on
long flights.

I'm willing to bet that your victims would disagree.

Bertei

Before leaving Bonaire I took a Benadryl for some mosq bites. In the
airport a buddy had an open bottle of Appleton's rum we needed to
finish. I had about 2 drinks. After we loaded I started reading a book
on the ramp. I got about 1/2 page then was barely able to get the book
in the seat pocket before my eyes shut. I woke up after we landed in
Miami. i had Fruit Loops cerial in my mouth and on my shirt. My buddy a
few rows up was throwing them toward my gaped open mouth. He said no one
else could really rest well for my snoring. 6'2", 240lb.

gatt wrote:
"C. Osbourne" wrote in message news:f_iod.134853$


Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?


Benadryl works great.

One time I flew to London on a 747 sandwiched between a French guy and a
fellow from Hong Kong, neither of whom spoke english. For the love of God.

On the way home, in the interest of public safety, I took a remaining
codeine pill left over from oral surgery, stretched out across the row in
the middle of the mostly-empty airplane...and dreamed that I was stuck
between a French guy and a fellow from Hong Kong, that the plane was flying
under power lines, etc...

-c

(C. Osbourne) wrote in message news:f_iod.134853$R05.103574@attbi_s53...

Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?


An interesting question to pose to rec.aviation.piloting. I often
find that a good autopilot can help me get to sleep. It keeps the
plane from rolling over into a spiral dive when the fuel becomes
unbalanced. As for drugs, well they're usually only required to sleep
in a really noisy or windy environment, like an open cockpit biplane.
Something like Thorazine is usually required in those situations. It
might be a little harsh, but almost guarantees that you'll be out like
a light, right to the end of the flight.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180, really hoping that the smiley is not
req'd)

Seats at bulkheads and emergency exits usually have a little more leg
room, sometimes if you get to the airport early you can request one of
these seats. I go out of my way to be polite and cheerful when making
these requests... I have eccasionally been offered a free upgrade to
business class - that makes a big difference on a 7-1/2 hr flight!

I do six to eight hour flights several times each year. I can rarely
sleep if it's a day flight,though I would like to, Whenever possible I
take a late departure arriving in the morning. A glass of wine with
dinner, a blanket & blindfold and I always sleep on the night flights.

The suggestion by another poster to see your doctor for a mild sedative
is a good one. I have also found that cold medications and anti nausea
medications usually put me to sleep.

Good luck,
Rob


(C. Osbourne) wrote in news:f_iod.134853
$R05.103574@attbi_s53:


Hi,

I'm going on some long flights soon, and would
really like to do some sleeping during the flights.

But somehow, I can't seem to get comfortable enough
to get to sleep. I'm 6'3" 280 lbs, and the tiny
seats are -very- uncomfortable after a few hours.
(can't afford 1st class)

Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?

Thanks for answering here...

Rob McDonald wrote:

Seats at bulkheads and emergency exits usually have a little more leg
room, sometimes if you get to the airport early you can request one of
these seats.

It pays to arrive early.

I have rarely *not* got a seat behind the overwing exit. One of the best
places to be able to stretch your legs.


I go out of my way to be polite and cheerful when making
these requests... I have eccasionally been offered a free upgrade to
business class - that makes a big difference on a 7-1/2 hr flight!

I made a fuss once about being 'bumped'. All 6 of us got upgraded. 5 in
business and 1 in first ( since he was feeling unwell ).

And yes - it makes a difference !

Don't take any **** - but equally don't over-do it. Ask to to speak to the
station manager.

Kinda - be firm but reasonable if bumped.


I do six to eight hour flights several times each year. I can rarely
sleep if it's a day flight,though I would like to, Whenever possible I
take a late departure arriving in the morning. A glass of wine with
dinner, a blanket & blindfold and I always sleep on the night flights.

Night flights are easier - the cabin crew *want* you to sleep ! Don't
refuse the blanket - you'll need it as they reduce the cabin temp !


The suggestion by another poster to see your doctor for a mild sedative
is a good one. I have also found that cold medications and anti nausea
medications usually put me to sleep.

Sounds like you found some sedative meds.

Some docs may prescribe you diazepam ( valium ) or the like. Depends how
they feel abour prescribing such stuff. You may have a better bet of
getting prescribed if you suggest you're afraid of flying.

Since I feel fine flying - I just sleep anyway ( but it takes time to get
used to doing it on a plane ) . Modest alcohol intake may help.


Graham

Ok.....old joke:

What's the difference between a dog and a flight engineer?





OK?



Here it is..............


The dog sleeps under the table!!

(cracks me up everytime!! thanks for indulging me!)
VL

Carb Loading, a good blanket and some earplugs or Noise canceling
headphones.
Works for me,
Michelle

C. Osbourne wrote:

Hi,

I'm going on some long flights soon, and would
really like to do some sleeping during the flights.

But somehow, I can't seem to get comfortable enough
to get to sleep. I'm 6'3" 280 lbs, and the tiny
seats are -very- uncomfortable after a few hours.
(can't afford 1st class)

Can anyone suggest a method or even proper drugs
I can use to get to sleep so the flights don't seem
so long?

Thanks for answering here...





--

Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P

"Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)

Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic

Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity