Thread by @Boris

I read a list of airplane travel tips somewhere and they were all boring and obvious, so here are a few I learned that might be useful:

If I travel to a different time zone I start adjusting to it a few days before. Example: time difference with NY is 6 hours so when I go there I go to bed 2 hours later 2 days before, and 4 hours later the day before, then arrive with only 2 extra hours to adjust to.

Learned from a steward: adjust your clock AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I’ll adjust my clock to the new time the day before I leave to get used to the different time zone.

Moisturize: the air on the flight is super dry. I use a LOT of moisturizer for my whole body before I leave and take some more for during the flight. You’ll feel so much better.

Get in a GOOD meal before the flight. Don’t eat shitty fast food at the airport. Arrive with a full stomach, and then bring back-up food. It feels extremely luxurious to be independent from food service. I bring nuts, fruits and energy bars. And drinks.

Consider getting the vegetarian meal during the flight: it is often better, and you’ll get it before anyone else. You’ll feel like a VIP when they come by, mention your name and say ‘Here’s your special meal!’

On drinks: avoid alcohol before and during the flight. A flight is like a marathon. It takes a toll on your body and alcohol makes it so much worse.

(My only exception is the glass of champagne you get in business class. Enjoy life a little if you can!)

I also buy two large bottles of water before I enter the flight. Yes, you can ask water but then you’re dependent on the flight attendants and they’re generally busy.

First thing I do when I board the plane is ask the flight attendants if it is going to be a busy flight and if there’s anything I can do to make their life easy. Their job is HARD work and so many people ignore them or are rude to them.

Also, they really try to make your life better. If something is bothering you just ask them for advice. Don’t demand an upgrade or seat-change, but explain them your issue and ask if they can do anything about it. If you are nice they are (almost always) also nice.

Noise canceling headphones, if you can afford them. I often give my own pair to friends who are traveling and are anxious about it. Makes all the difference in the world.

Get there early: if I have to choose between waiting at home or waiting at the airport, I’ll happily wait at the airport and be 3 hours early. I’ll walk around, read a book or just chill near the boarding area. Traveling is stressful so I try to remove as much stress as possible.

Set an alarm for every step of the process of getting there on time:

- alarm for getting up
- alarm for saying goodby to cat
- alarm to leave for airport
- alarm to get to gate
- alarm for final boarding

That way you can relax and stop thinking about the time. No stress.

Give yourself some time off: I know a lot of people who work on their flight. I don’t. I give myself some time off and treat the flight itself as a small vacation and guilt-free me-time. I watch movies, read books or stare out the window.

I collect movies on @netflix that seem nice for a flight and download them within the app on my iPad. Gives me something to look forward to. I do the same with books: books that I think will be nice to read during traveling.

My carry-on is a soft shoulder bag that has a sweater and some essentials in it in case my luggage gets lost. It is also soft enough to use as a cushion. So much more comfortable than a hard case.

Drugs: I bring melatonin, paracetamol and diclofenac (for my back) and something for my throat (dry air so it can get sensitive) and take them early and often.

Tip from a friend: buy a nice new pair of socks and save them for the trip. Give them to yourself the morning of the flight. Mmmmm... love it.

Get the airport app if they have one. The @Schiphol app is amazing and will alert you to flights or guide you towards your gate.

Okay, these were my main ones. Please tell me yours!

Oh, if you have kids: two tips:

1: buy any gifts the first day. Don’t postpone or you’ll be stressed out and buying shit at the airport.

2: don’t buy shit at the airport. I talked about this with the kids and explained; often I’ll be very busy and I won’t have time to buy good stuff, so I’ll buy shit at the airport and nobody wants that. So How about I save that money and spend it on food when I’m back.

After that occasionally I would ask them “I’m on my way back. Want me to buy you shit at the airport?” And they would shout “Noooo!!!! Save your money for good food!!!” 😂😂😂