12 hours on a plane - 4 hours back in time!
- Jun 7, 2016
- 6 min read
Today (or somewhere in the last 24 hours) I made my first Long Haul International trip!
From Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to Los Angeles, California, USA.
While my 12 hour trek across the Pacific Ocean is small in comparison to some, it's definitely an accomplishment for me!
It's 2:52pm Tuesday 7th in Australia; but in the City of Angeles, LA, it's 9:52pm, Monday 6th. I've stepped into the past to begin living my present!
Okay, that was lame, I know, but let a girl have her fun!
I wanted to do an entry on how my first ever long-haul International experience went. The Do's the Don't's, what I did well, what I'll never do again. There is some funny stories that are about to transpire so pull out your notepad and hold onto your hat.
We're going on an adventure!
- Bilbo Baggins
Here's a few tips on how to best prepare for your trip!
1. RESEARCH
Seriously. Do yourself a favour. Research what to pack.
Before packing for the trip I read up on a lot of blogs on what to pack and where to pack it.
All of my questions were answered in about an hours worth of reading Pinterest/Blogs. From these I create two lists, carry-on & check-in and that was so directional for my packing that it only took me one afternoon to pack!
You can basically narrow it down to this.
Pack your Carry-On first, then everything else can go in your Check-In.
I was boss enough to fit all of my luggage in my small suitcase, which I then Babushka dolled into my large suitcase and had a spare bag for Carry-On. This means I will have an empty suitcase to FILL in the States. BOOM! (I just wish I'd taken a photo, it was beautiful!)
2. CARRY-ON... SOLDIER
Keep in mind that your Carry On is not just for in-flight purposes.
It's also a back up in case your check-in gets lost. This has never happened to me, but I'll be damned if the day it happens, I'm not prepared.
I wore a jacket and a large scarf which cameo'd as a second blanket on the flight, a laptop bag and a carry-on bag.
For those that are interested, I've listed what I packed in my carry-on at the bottom of this blog. Hopefully it'll be helpful/inspiration for some. I know I'll use it again.
The one thing I would change is I would put the things I'll access the most in my laptop bag instead of my laptop. I only used my laptop once because of travel sickness so it was a waste of space and I had to keep getting up and to get my bag from the over head to access items like, hand sanitiser, moisturiser and my eye mask, that could've easily fit in it's stead.
2. Turbulence - Like a Show Ride only 20,000ft in the sky
Dude! If you're like me and am prone to motion sickness, be prepared for gross-stomach churning-head spinning motion sickness. I went in thinking "It's a bigger plane, ergo, less turbulence". Never been so wrong in my entire life!
I can't even go on a ride at the show without being incapacitated for 16 hours (yes, that actually happened). I'm pretty good with controlling the urge to purge but by the second round of turbulence, I could't hold it any longer.
I spent the whole *seatbelt fastened* time in the toilet.
I should have taken a motion sickness tablet but it just never occurred to me. Next Time.
3. It's called "Economy" for a reason
100 people in a 200sq/ft area is bound to have it's flaws.
From the old man in front pushing his chair back on my laptop, to the guy across from me who's cologne smelled so good it basically kept me sane.
Our food was delicious, the flight attendants were amazing, and the selection of in-flight entertainment was really decent!
I did, however, encounter one major interruption to the enjoyment of my flight.
The Toilets.
Yes, the were poky and small. And yes, they smelled bad. If they were the only things wrong, I'd have nothing to complain about!
BUT! Here it goes...
When I first got on the plane my feet were nice and toastie, so I thought "why not put my socks & slippers on now" you know, to conserve the heat. Great idea in theory.
Until the turbulence hit and I was head down in a toilet, trying to regurgitate my breakfast.
In the bathroom, my thigh started feeling cold & wet, but when I looked at it and felt it there was nothing there, so I assumed it was just a breeze. The next thing, my left foot started feeling cold. Assuming it was the same thing, just a breeze, I continued saying hello to my disintegrated quiche and coffee.
At one point, I look down and see that there is 'water' on the ground and my foot is right on top of it. Then, the smell hit me. I mustn't have been able to smell it while concentrating on turning my insides into outsides.
Without explaining how I figured it out, I discover that the bottom of my woollen slipper was now wet with someone else's urine that was on the floor. At this point the seatbelt sign is on so I couldn't even go back to my seat.
I had no spare socks and even if I did, the bootie itself was wet!
So, I'm stuck in a toilet, vomiting, with a urine soaked slipper, all the while being jolted around by turbulence.
Y'all are going to judge me, and I don't even care. HAHA! I ended up going back to my seat. Taking off the shoe & sock and let them dry for a few hours then put them back on.
It was either that or have my foot freeze for the next 10 hours!
It's like when Chandler had to pee on Monica after she was stung by a jellyfish. It's gross and uncomfortable but it had to be done!
*shudder*
One thing I was thankful for? A happy baby.
No screaming babies for 12 hours is a solid job! Well done, parents!
P.S. Sleep when everyone is sleeping! I got next to no sleep because I didn't time it right and didn't have ear plugs. If the plane is quiet & dark. That's your queue!
3. LA In Bound Customs.... SUCK!
Anybody that knows me, knows that I'm a systems freak.
Efficiency is my main game.
So when I say LA's systems suck? I mean... Suck!
6 International flights with 200+ people on them, arriving within minutes of each other, most people with connecting flights, and they only have 5 customs officers on desk.
It was fine for the people who had been to the States before, they went to the automated systems (which were still far too few for the demand).
But for the newbies we had to wait in line (which was more like walking in lines like below except 50m long lines). It felt like we were cattle being herded. I actually think that they made the lines like this to a) maximise space and b) give people the illusion that they're getting through quicker, because you're constantly walking.
When I got to the front of the line, the gentleman behind the counter was of Hispanic decent and BOY did he look serious (in fact, they all did), as I approached him, I tried to be nice polite and efficient for him to do his job.
I then see on his name badge that his name is "Oye".
Naturally, I asked him how to pronounce it.
He says "Oy-yeh"
I say "Oi?" He kind of shrugs and says yes, as if he were thinking "you'll never get it". I respond with "That's so Australian!"
He then had a little chuckle and said "I guess so".
THAT'S RIGHT! I made the customs officer laugh!
I AM FUNNY!
From there the process got worse. We walked out to get our luggage from a carousel then had to wait in ANOTHER line for someone to check the same paperwork that the previous guy had just verified. Literally took and hour to get through customs.
So if you're ever getting pick up from an International port in the U.S. tell them to come an hour after your flight arrives to save on parking.
U.S. now have my photo and fingerprints on file so if I ever commit a crime... They'll catch me!
After that tedious exercise I walk up a steep as ramp and into the arms of my lovely Aunt!
From then on it was smooth sailing really.
It's 10:52 now. Have been awake for countless hours. I'm going to go to bed.
Tomorrow? The Hollywood sign awaits! Can't wait to share it with you!
With Love & Learning,
-Kate
- CARRY-ON
I had two pieces of carry-on: a laptop bag and a Carry-On bag. Here's what I packed:
LAPTOP BAG
Laptop
Charger
Headphones
Diary
Purse with passport, cards & ID
CARRY-ON
Clothes
Two sets of spare clothes - Jeans & Shirts
Spare Cardigan
Flats
Pajamas
Spare underwear & Liner
Ladies, if you know it's close, pack some heat too (products).
Comfort
Eye Mask
Ear Plugs
Neck Pillow (they're ugly, but you'll be sorry)
Small cosy blanket (mine was 150x150cm)
Socks
Slippers (NOT cotton or wool like mine. Ew)
Entertainment
Book to read
Bible & Journal
Pencil Case
Electronics
Phone Charger
Instax Camera & Film
Power Pack booster
Health Care
Panadol
Antihistamine
Tissues
Nail file board
Toothbrush
Face Wipes - To freshen up / remove make up before sleeping
Make Up - To redo before landing!
T oothpaste*
Moisturiser*
Hand Sanitiser*
Deodorant*
*Indicates the products I put in a clear plastic bag in preparation for Australian custom. This meant I could just pull the bag out and stroll on through. No fuss or delay.
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