1st time international traveler

[Toshtishtash 1]

@ Melatonin... A friend of mine has been having really bad sleeping problems and the doctor tried to prescribe him sleeping tablets which he didn't want... He ordered Melatonin off the internet as the doctor wouldn't prescribe it as they don't know much about it and he said that this week since he began taking them is the best sleep he has had in months.

[TracyTN 237]

Man I love flying!!

You'll be fine - just use your common sense and the tips here. Main thing is to enjoy yourself and the journey!!

[*julez* 124]

I love flying too! I don't, however, enjoy the jet lag, which has been something of an issue for me. Don't bother trying NoJetLag tablets. We tried them last time and they didn't make a difference.

In addition to your passport, make sure you have a photocopy of your passport, just in case you lose it. makes it much easier to get a replacement. Also, keep the name and address of your fiance with you and a phone number for him. You will need to enter this info on the immigration card you'll need to fill out on the plane. The flight attendants will provide this to you. When you get to immigrations, make sure you follow the signs for non-EU citizens. Answer questions honestly. Enjoy your trip!

I'm so envious! You are going to love it so much!!! Have a wonderful time!!!!

I would love another trip to England! Maybe this Fall, since airfare just went up again, prohibiting our hopeful trip in July.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

if your nervous, it's probably nothing a few g&ts won't solve on the plane!

[Krikit 1,165]

Man I love flying!!

I always call it "airplane rides"!!! But you have to say it in an excited and happy voice and clap your hands at the same time.

[rebeccajo 14]

Wear comfortable shoes. Comfortable means flat and flexible. Lots of walking.

Get some nice bright unusual luggage tags. Make sure they are good ones that won't come off the handles. Makes it easier to find your bags as they come round the carousel.

Take one decent sized carryon - put packaged snacks in it (no fruit - they might confiscate it). Take a book or magazines. A neck pillow is nice to have. I carried a washcloth in a baggie and my makeup in my carryon so I could freshen up after I landed.

I didn't take an electrical adapter - I found a hair dryer at Walmart that actually had a switch on it to convert to EU electricity. It cost the same as the adapter. I still have it - if you want I can look see what it brand it is when I get home.

Buy batteries over here for your camera and pack them in your luggage. They are expensive over there.

Pack your toiletries inside plastic baggies. They might leak in your luggage if you don't.

Try not to pack to much. You'll need sweaters. And an umbrella.

Have fun! I envy you!

Edited March 25, 2008 by rebeccajo

[Toshtishtash 1]

Ooooh! And don't lock your case! They will most probably break the lock when they do the security checks.

Edited March 25, 2008 by toshtishtash

[Krikit 1,165]

Ugh. Shoes. You reminded me, RJ.....

I always carry some of those little sock booties and put them on in the plane. My feet tend to swell in my shoes from all that sitting. Plus I hate wearing shoes.

In my carry-on I bring some fresh wipes. They're great for cleaning your hands before you eat, and for freshening up after the trip but before you can get to a shower.

Something to note.... if you're lactose intolerant, bring a supply with you. You cannot purchase them over-the-counter in England.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Oh, how exciting for you, GEG!

• Take some earphones so you don't have to pay for the ones they hand out on the plane. (If there's a fee involved.... depends on the airline.)
• I cannot sleep on airplanes, plus I tend to get motion sickness, so I take some Gravol with me(Canadian drug - American equivalent is dramamine or dimenhydrinate.)
• I'm terrible for getting jetlag. I've heard that Melatonin is helpful so I have some of that for my next trip.

Speaking of next trips.... I'll be flying over there this summer but I haven't booked it yet. Who are you flying with, and are you flying out of Orlando?

Flying nonstop out of Orlando to Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic...I think a connecting flight would do me in! Last time I was on a plane, I almost missed my connection in Dallas-Fort Worth...What a hell-hole!!!

Starting to calm down a little...everybody is so great!!!

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Awww Dawn, I'm so excited for you.

The process is a little different to my experience in US airports. You will get off the plane and walk to immigration, which always seems to be a hike but that might be because I'm returning home, it will probably all blur by for you rushing through to see Darren. You will get to a big hall where there will be EU and non EU immigration lines, jump in a non EU line, show your Visa Waiver (which you fill in on the plane) and passport and they will send you straight through - actually its down an escalator - there are plenty of signs in plenty of languages to guide you.

Gatwick has bigger problems than USC's visiting their SO's so will hardly give you a second glance if the forms are all correct. Then you will go through to baggage claim, which at Gatwick can be a it of a maze. Make sure you have a good look around on your flight so you recognize lots of faces and you can follow them at this point to the right carousel. It'll be on the screens too though. This is what I find really strange in the US airports I've flown into, the baggage claim is always in the arrivals lounge - anyone can pop in and pick up some luggage! Its before you get to arrivals at Gatwick so don't forget to pick them up before you go through! Anyway, you'll grab your bags, hike them on a trolley and then all you have to do is walk (or run) through customs. They might call you over to check your bags but thats also very unlikely. The arrivals exit at Gatwick is a bottle neck, there is no way you will be able to miss Darren or him miss you.

Have a wonderful flight and holiday and don't forget to ask if you can upgrade if you see an empty space in Business Class. Once the doors have closed and they aren't letting anyone else on those seats stay empty until someone puts their bum in it. You have a great advantage in your seat as you will be able to see everything thats free, the air stewardess should be happy to let you move, especially if you point out that its your first time flying international.

Take Care

Bex xxx

How do I do this? Sorry for the question...

[brnidokiegurl 0]

any medicines u may need carry with u in case bag is lost for a time and think like i did (these people dont know its my first time) ha

[Krikit 1,165]

Flying nonstop out of Orlando to Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic...I think a connecting flight would do me in! Last time I was on a plane, I almost missed my connection in Dallas-Fort Worth...What a hell-hole!!!

I thought Terminal 3 at RDU had this honour.

I've been thinking Virgin Atlantic out of Orlando also. But my trip's a little complicated so I'm not quite sure which country I'll fly out of (Canada or the US) or which country I'll fly into and then which country I'll fly out of. (Multiple country trip.) Just looking into options now.

Have a wonderful flight and holiday and don't forget to ask if you can upgrade if you see an empty space in Business Class. Once the doors have closed and they aren't letting anyone else on those seats stay empty until someone puts their bum in it. You have a great advantage in your seat as you will be able to see everything thats free, the air stewardess should be happy to let you move, especially if you point out that its your first time flying international.

How do I do this? Sorry for the question...

Pick a friendly face and just ask politely if it's possible for you to change seats. You may want to throw in that this is your first international flight to visit your betrothed, etc etc. Whatever you feel comfortable saying. Sometimes they'll say yes and sometimes they'll say no. Never hurts to ask.

Edited March 25, 2008 by Crikey!

[BexandAlan 0]

Just as Crikey! pointed out all you need to do is ask. I normally wait until the last few are getting on and they will say "as long as its free when we close the doors." On the last few flights I've been really lucky and had three seats all to myself so I haven't bothered but I told the guy I got on with in sept to ask because he was a nervous flyer and he got bumped. Its the luck of the draw and depends on the mood of whoever you ask unfortunately but like most things in life if you don't ask you don't get.

Have fun.

[Lisa and Spence 0]

How exciting that you are leaving in just a couple of days! I'm so envious of you! BTW, did you get my last email about where to go/ not to go in London? If not, I will email you again... anyway...

Check the weight of your baggage! I know some airlines have changed their baggage rules (how many you can bring and how much each can weigh). I actually saw a guy take his suitcases to Publix and weight them on those scales just inside the store. I thought it was a great idea because I did get hit with my suitcase being overweight when I was checking in for my flight to London. I had to rearrange my two bags there (quite embarassing) to avoid the upcharges for overweight bags.

Make sure if you have an ipod that you make sure they are fully charged and bring the cables with you. Defintely buy a electric current adaptor before you go. I had one, but my hair straightener didn't work witht he converter I bought so I ended up buying a cheap one over there.

The flight was no problem, just have your passport and drivers license close at hand while you are traveling. I took the long walk to the international hub in Atlanta instead of using the tram because I knew I was going to be cooped up for 10 hrs in the plane.

You should enjoy the flight on Virgin - that is the flight that Spencer takes everytime he goes to London. Make sure you sign up for their frequent flyer program since you and Darren will be flying over there.

Tell Darren that Spence and I are looking forward to meeting him once he gets over here!

Lisa

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I agree on the Virgin frequent flyer miles - we got my OH's mum upgraded for not much more money last year by using miles we had accrued

Plus the other good thing about Virgin is that they have on-demand in-flight entertainment. Makes the hours go much faster.

I also second the advice to take your own earphones, the ones they give you are #######.

You'll be fine