Or carry your own empty water bottle and fill it after TSA. In some airports, such as SFO, the tap water is a lot better than what they sell in bottles (it's glacial runoff from the Sierras)
I was using a mask on an airplane a decade before Covid. Therefore I never got sick after flying. I flew to Crete and back this December and I am both Covid/flu/RSV/upper respiratory infection free. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and get proper rest on the plane and then move around a bit before landing. I also wore a mask in a few of the busy museums in Greece but no one on Crete seemed to even have a cold! I was religious about wearing my mask in all the airports…especially coming back on the 19th.
I'm struck by how the TV morning news has back-to-back stories on The Most People Ever Flying Today! and "Polls show Americans think the economy sucks!"
I don’t fear flight like I used to, because I’m mid-sixties and something is gonna take me out soon. But it’s more crowded and the skies are more turbulent than they were. I have but one request: keep ‘em coming. Look at me and realize that drinking is not going to turn me into one of those apes who disrupts flights.
This is very good to know. O'Hare is one of those fingernails-on-the-chalkboard-of-my-soul airports for me, perhaps because I tend to get long layovers there (the downside of flying mileage tickets).
My memories of O’Hare (and I was just there) is running thru the airport to get to my next flight because, of course, it isn’t anywhere near where I landed. Heathrow, because they don’t tell you what gate you are leaving from until exactly one hour before (you’d better hope you are in the right terminal) and it is always horribly crowded and they make you go thru security many times (really, I have to take my watch off 🙄 AND you get to see me in a sleeveless shirt because the hoodie is too much?)
I remember a woman at security, who was trying so hard to make it a good experience for her patdown people. And she ended up telling me that she suffered from anxiety, and it was difficult to get the criticism all day long. And I told her that her job was the most important one in the airport, and she should never forget that. And she thanked me.
I usually get through there pretty quickly, and there's a decent eatery there. I also like to cruise the posh shops just to gawk at the watches, etc. Going through, I'm headed to my most loved destination, and adapting to walking on the right (foot traffic tends to follow driving patterns). Coming back, I'm still riding the high. So Heathrow is not one I mind. And it's usually possible to find some quiet corners to stretch out and sleep there.
I would have to say my worst is Keflavik. It seems ergonomically designed to deliver the greatest discomfort in the shortest period of time, which stretches out to forever. I've had monster layovers there.
As WHOPR/Jacob discovered playing Thermonuclear War, the only way to win is to not play the game. Just don't. Stay home and visit the relatives at some less insanely stupid time.
Ta, Sara. You are surrounded by the light of healing, which light penetrates and permeates the hearts, minds, and hands of all entrusted with your care. That includes you.
I used to love to fly, until 9/11 ruined the experience. Roxy Music's Avalon was my flight music when I was doing it a lot. And I'm always grateful to anyone who has to work on a holiday, and express that gratitude.
Gonna add to the list of pro tips that terminal c at the Denver airport has the nicest, human scaled, comfortable furniture in any airport I've ever been to. Every seat has charging ports and there are a lot of pieces of furniture that are made to stretch out and snooze on. They're also little cozy booths with walls so people can't cough on you.
Hydrate on the plane where the air is filtered!
Make sure everything is charged, charged, charged!
Buy water after TSA.
Or carry your own empty water bottle and fill it after TSA. In some airports, such as SFO, the tap water is a lot better than what they sell in bottles (it's glacial runoff from the Sierras)
And…because I’ve got weird sinuses I use Afrin before takeoff…my ear clearing problems are not a problem now.
Oh…and I am never nervous on planes because I have no control over what happens. Put me in a car and I’m a total wreck, even if I’m driving.
I was using a mask on an airplane a decade before Covid. Therefore I never got sick after flying. I flew to Crete and back this December and I am both Covid/flu/RSV/upper respiratory infection free. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and get proper rest on the plane and then move around a bit before landing. I also wore a mask in a few of the busy museums in Greece but no one on Crete seemed to even have a cold! I was religious about wearing my mask in all the airports…especially coming back on the 19th.
I'm struck by how the TV morning news has back-to-back stories on The Most People Ever Flying Today! and "Polls show Americans think the economy sucks!"
The only time I felt shaky on a plane was flying down to see BC play in the Cotton Bowl
We flew on a wide body L-1011.
I didn’t think that crate was going to get off the ground.
Luckily I brought a bottle of rum. Bacardi usually soothes my withered nerves
Thank you for this article! It reminded me to be insanely grateful that I am *not* flying anywhere for the holidays.
I will ever fly AA again.
Ever
I long ago purchased a set of giant ear protectors like the folks directing the planes in wear (I used to fly 30 or so weeks a year).
Stops potential conversations too.
I don’t fear flight like I used to, because I’m mid-sixties and something is gonna take me out soon. But it’s more crowded and the skies are more turbulent than they were. I have but one request: keep ‘em coming. Look at me and realize that drinking is not going to turn me into one of those apes who disrupts flights.
some airports have yoga rooms, too! When I worked at Miami Int'l it saved me (terminal H on ground floor)
O'Hare also has something like that.
I like that calm space doesn't have to be chapel space
This is very good to know. O'Hare is one of those fingernails-on-the-chalkboard-of-my-soul airports for me, perhaps because I tend to get long layovers there (the downside of flying mileage tickets).
Also, this: https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/news/21293224/i-had-no-choice-for-many-homeless-people-ohare-has-become-a-nighttime-refuge
My memories of O’Hare (and I was just there) is running thru the airport to get to my next flight because, of course, it isn’t anywhere near where I landed. Heathrow, because they don’t tell you what gate you are leaving from until exactly one hour before (you’d better hope you are in the right terminal) and it is always horribly crowded and they make you go thru security many times (really, I have to take my watch off 🙄 AND you get to see me in a sleeveless shirt because the hoodie is too much?)
I remember a woman at security, who was trying so hard to make it a good experience for her patdown people. And she ended up telling me that she suffered from anxiety, and it was difficult to get the criticism all day long. And I told her that her job was the most important one in the airport, and she should never forget that. And she thanked me.
My most hated airport is Heathrow.
Frankfurt, at least in the 80s-90s. Not even any price-gouging airport shops. Nothing to do but sit. Thank god for literacy.
THE WORST transfer process I have experienced in any airport at any country.
Consistently SUCK.
I usually get through there pretty quickly, and there's a decent eatery there. I also like to cruise the posh shops just to gawk at the watches, etc. Going through, I'm headed to my most loved destination, and adapting to walking on the right (foot traffic tends to follow driving patterns). Coming back, I'm still riding the high. So Heathrow is not one I mind. And it's usually possible to find some quiet corners to stretch out and sleep there.
I would have to say my worst is Keflavik. It seems ergonomically designed to deliver the greatest discomfort in the shortest period of time, which stretches out to forever. I've had monster layovers there.
Arriving and departing is not bad but the transfer process is fucking hell.
Be it ever so humble, at least I don’t have to go through TSA to come home every night.
As WHOPR/Jacob discovered playing Thermonuclear War, the only way to win is to not play the game. Just don't. Stay home and visit the relatives at some less insanely stupid time.
Ta, Sara. You are surrounded by the light of healing, which light penetrates and permeates the hearts, minds, and hands of all entrusted with your care. That includes you.
I used to love to fly, until 9/11 ruined the experience. Roxy Music's Avalon was my flight music when I was doing it a lot. And I'm always grateful to anyone who has to work on a holiday, and express that gratitude.
Multiple upvotes for SMB's "Jet Airliner." Remember 707's? Yer an old, then!
Happy holidays, you lovely flock of fuckaducks.
Always carry a hanky on a plane.
I usually carry a hanky daily.
I’ll have to order some online. I never see them at Marshall’s and I’m not paying top dollar for name stuff
Dude, I already have two sleeves.
Gonna add to the list of pro tips that terminal c at the Denver airport has the nicest, human scaled, comfortable furniture in any airport I've ever been to. Every seat has charging ports and there are a lot of pieces of furniture that are made to stretch out and snooze on. They're also little cozy booths with walls so people can't cough on you.
I like the CLT rocking chairs too.