Flying to California: any tips?

Foxhound5366 said:
Where would one buy a headphone adapter?

And, more importantly, wtf does tea tree oil do by the nose? Is it like vicks, with a stinging smell, to wake you up?
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Headphone adapter: Cape Union Mart or even at the airport - they're like 100 bucks.

Tea tree oil usually helps prevent you from getting all blocked up on the flight
 
Akasha said:
I WILL LOVE ALL THE PETS! (read cats and dogs)
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You're coming to the JHB meet this Saturday right? Just bring yourself fully-stowed in a legit looking suitcase with the necessary in-flight amenities, and I'll consider it.
 
marlin178 said:
Headphone adapter: Cape Union Mart or even at the airport - they're like 100 bucks.

Tea tree oil usually helps prevent you from getting all blocked up on the flight
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Awesome, another top tip. Will add both of those to my list. I'm gonna be prepared(tm). Now I only need my visa to be approved in time: my appointment is Monday afternoon and I fly out on Sunday (so effectively I need to collect the visa on Friday). *knock on wood*
 
marlin178 said:
Headphone adapter: Cape Union Mart or even at the airport - they're like 100 bucks.

Tea tree oil usually helps prevent you from getting all blocked up on the flight
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I haven't seen those double plug headphones in ages. Usually fly Virgin though so maybe that's why.

Foxhound5366 said:
As for the Vitamin C, good point. The two times I've flown internationally before I've come down with a killer cold immediately afterwards -> those sprays they use in the cabin don't do a damn thing for regular colds apparently.
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Would you expect it to? :confused: It's an insecticide.
 
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bwana said:
Would you expect it to? :confused: It's an insecticide.
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My first experience of it was when they sprayed it during the Swine Flu outbreak a few years back. I figured they were connected? So it's only an insecticide and nothing more?

I told my wife about the tea tree oil tip, and she says won't they just throw that bottle away at the security check because you're not allowed any liquids on a flight? Maybe because it's a medical thing it might be ok.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
My first experience of it was when they sprayed it during the Swine Flu outbreak a few years back. I figured they were connected? So it's only an insecticide and nothing more?

I told my wife about the tea tree oil tip, and she says won't they just throw that bottle away at the security check because you're not allowed any liquids on a flight? Maybe because it's a medical thing it might be ok.
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It's an insect spray - some WHO requirement or something.

Just decant a little of the oil into a smaller bottle. You're allowed 100ml of liquids in a clear ziplock bag.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
In the Big Bad City, on my very first time in America? Not sure I'm brave enough :D

The layover is from 06:30 to 18:30 local time ... so plenty of time in theory. If I've got a US visa they'll let me through and then back no problem, right? It's a change to the declared travel plan when I applied for the visa, but the border agents won't care right?
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Personally I think JFK is one of the worst airports for a layover, so I will definitely take the train to Manhattan if you have to spend 11 hours there.

You can check out http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/newyorkjfk.htm for tips regarding layovers on JFK
 
Sleep as much as you can, sleep when you're tired. You'll be traveling back in time(how cool is that) so you can sleep more when you get there.

Drink lots of fluids as a long flight like that will dehydrate you more than you realize. Don't drink tea or coffee on the flight don't drink alcohol(not only do these dehydrate they also disturb sleep and you don't want plane water in your tea/coffee(sies)), okay a beer might be okay.
 
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dsix3e said:
Personally I think JFK is one of the worst airports for a layover, so I will definitely take the train to Manhattan if you have to spend 11 hours there.

You can check out http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/newyorkjfk.htm for tips regarding layovers on JFK
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Yeah I'm definitely going to try change that entire flight. It gets me into my destination only at 23:00, which is NOT how I want to end a 30-hour travel session. No time for dinner and just a crash into bed before a full day's work the next two days? Nope, nope, nope. I'll visit New York some other time rather.
 
bwana said:
It's an insect spray - some WHO requirement or something.

Just decant a little of the oil into a smaller bottle. You're allowed 100ml of liquids in a clear ziplock bag.
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+1

They're usually sold in tiny bottles, which I've never had an issue getting onto a plane. Just make sure it's in a zip lock/bank bag so it dosen't leak.
 
I flew to JFK and Boston about a month ago.

JFK is an awful airport. It is completely boring and grey and TSA is super twitchy there. Take one of the first replier's advice above and walk very briskly off the plane to get to passport control. You do not want to be in that queue.

Be nice to the TSA people and the passport guys too. A friendly good morning and thank you will speed you up like you wont believe.

As for when on the plane, don't take your shoes off but do untie them. Planes are pressurized to ~0.7 atm, so your feet will swell and you could hurt youself if your shoes are tight. You do not want to stand with your personal socks on the carpet - the things I've seen....

Get a good pair of noise blocking earbuds / earphones to plug into your tablet/phone. Planes are loud and people / babies are loud too. Grab a plane audio plug to 3.5mm adapter too if you get the chance before hand (they do sell them in duty free but for like R200... blegh)

Get up and move around every two hours or so - an isle seat is best for this. You will not be sleeping properly anyway.

Entertainment wise, I normally load my tablet up with 30+ hours of shows. There are 110V and USB plugs in your seat so you can charge your stuff in the plane - pack your travel adaptor in your hand luggage. Personally I balance the media with podcasts, audiobooks, TV shows and anime so that I have a range of stuff for when I get bored.

Oh and just turn off data and roaming before you get there. Dont be that guy... :)
 
agentrfr said:
Oh and just turn off data and roaming before you get there. Dont be that guy... :)
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Nice tips, thanks!!! And no worries on the data part, I'm on prepaid. I finally reclaimed my soul from Vodacom (it has some dark marks on it now though).

Hey, here's a practical question: when I'm on that side and I want to pop in a US sim card, how am I gonna do that? I don't have the little tool to pop out the teensy-tiny tray in my phone. Do I really need to take one of those with me too, or is that something they can just do at the phone store?
 
Nah they'll help you in the phone shops. If you have a sort of modern phone that can do GSM and CDMA then dont worry. If you have an older phone you might want to check...

Sprint, Verizon and the US one are GSM. AT and T and T-mobile are CDMA. Since you are using a SIM card it is likely your phone can do GSM, so go for a Sprint or Verizon SIM card when you get there
 
AstroTurf said:
Comfortable shoes, for the plane and the airports.
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Funnily enough I was thinking about pants just now :D Jeans are my default, but softer chinos might be more comfortable over a long period of time. Also probably wise to pack spare clothes into a carry-on, 30 hours is a long time to be separated from luggage.

Oh dear, I've crossed the line from sensible traveller into micromanager! Heeeeelp.
 
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