Dealing with jetlag and other trans-atlantic travel tips

misterPK · 8 May 2008 at 14:30

Well its finally happening, work are sending me to Chicago next week, and I haven't been on that long a flight since I went to Canada once as a kid on holiday.

I'm pretty used to a regular sleeping pattern, and as a non-caffine drinker I'm a bit worried about yawning away when I really should be paying attention to the system over there i'm being sent to copy.

So, have any more experienced travelers got any tips on survivng the journey?

PK!

daz · 8 May 2008 at 14:54

Never really had trouble adjusting to the time difference when flying to the USA, but when you're back in the UK trying to adjust to the time here again you feel it.

scorza · 8 May 2008 at 14:57

My advice is don't eat anything when you're traveling. Flew to West Coast via Chicago last year - when I arrived I felt absolutely awful, had to go to bed straight away. Going back I didn't eat anything at all and felt great when I arrived back in London. Felt even better after eating a nice big pizza when I returned home.

FUFTUB · 8 May 2008 at 14:59

Party animals get jetlagged every weekend. I don't know what the problem is?

aproctor · 8 May 2008 at 14:59

a few days before try and get in the US time zone

Sone · 8 May 2008 at 15:19

as already been said its coming back that kills.

First night there stay up until at least 10pm and get up no later than 8am and i never have a problem.

Coming back normally takes me about 10 days though

EDIT, Chicago you going to NRA?

misterPK · 8 May 2008 at 15:26

Yeah, the time differences and the flight times do make it interesting. Its a nine hour flight and there's a six hour difference, so I'll get there three hours after I left, and on the way back the difference will be 15 hours! Oh well, its worth it for the experience!

PK!

meghatronic · 8 May 2008 at 15:28

I always find getting drunk good to deal with jet lag. As one recoveries as you would after a night of drinking.

I am notoriously bad at adjusting to time differences, though.

When I was in Boston, I went to sleep and woke at the same times I would in UK - to hilarious effects. At least I got to use the gym before others were up.

misterPK · 8 May 2008 at 15:55

Sone said:
Chicago you going to NRA?

Nope, the company I work for has an asset recovery depot there. Its actually in West Chicago, a bit out from the city and almost Wayne's World territory!

jdickerson said:
I always find getting drunk good to deal with jet lag. As one recoveries as you would after a night of drinking.

Not a good way to impress on my first international buisness trip, I'm hoping for a promotion out of this project!

PK!

MookJong · 8 May 2008 at 16:06

Yep Flying West isn't so bad it's Flying East that is the killer.

Drink plenty water, stay off coke or sweet fizzy stuff. Get some earplugs and one of these:

It has to be one like this with the lower middle part, this thing was my best friend when traveling between Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. I realy doubt I would have been able to sleep without it.

jas72 · 8 May 2008 at 16:23

misterPK said:
Yeah, the time differences and the flight times do make it interesting. Its a nine hour flight and there's a six hour difference, so I'll get there three hours after I left, and on the way back the difference will be 15 hours! Oh well, its worth it for the experience!

PK!

Pah it's easy just sleep some on the plane (consider it an afternoon nap) wake up when they pass the refreshing towelettes round and you are good to go usually plane leaves at midday you have a (7 hour) afternoon nap and can then stay up most of the evening. By tomorrow you are perfect.

Getting drunk would be the worst thing you can do especially on the plane as the airco already has you dehydrated.

The way back is ususally a night flight (departing 5-7pm) so again 7-8 hour sleep and you are good to go the next day back home. (If not again have the couple of hours nap in the afternoon). As soon as you land get into the eating habits of where you are.

Bes · 8 May 2008 at 17:12

pfft amatuers..

Nytol + 2x bottles of mini wine with dinner on plane = sleep.

Wake up at destination feeling refreshed

As a regular long- hauler, this works for me!

Vanilla · 8 May 2008 at 17:40

I am going to be in Vegas for a week soon. I will have a horrible time as i'm a creature of habit with my sleep.

When I was in orlando and San Fran (6 months after) last year I woke up at 3am EVERY night - even after drinking and going to bed at 12 local time.

It seems even when really tired I can't get into a US pattern.