Flying for 1st time ...

[harrigan]

  Yes, really!  I have never flown before and in 2 weeks I am going to Amsterdam for a 3 night break with a friend as it is half way between our 50th birthdays! 

I am so looking forward to being away, and also nervous about a busy city holiday and having enough energy to do everything I'd like to do.  Also, it is the 1st time I have been away for more than a night without the kids!  At 21, 18, 16 and 13, with 23 year old number 1 son 2 mins away, I'm sure they will be fine, but still ....

Anyway - any tips for a nervous first timer??  I finish school on 21st, have 2 hospital appointments on 22nd and go at 3am on 23rd! Like Tryfan posted, there are mixed feelings about going away.  XX ailsa

[eyeamdry]

Go!!! Enjoy Yourself!!!  Report Back here when you're home.

Pace yourself.  You might want to take your eye drops and whatever you use for upkeep on your eyes.  Stay well hydrated. 

If your flight is a long one, you might buy a "mask" to wear over your eyes during the flight.  This helps keep in moisture. 

Lucy

[Chickpea]

Hi Ailsa

What a lovely thing to do with a friend, and for special birthdays too.  It's bound to feel strange without the children for the first time but you'll be surprised how much you enjoy it too.

Amsterdam is an easy city to get around and if you plan the three days well so that you incorporate lots of sitting in cafes watching the world go by, then you should be fine.  Don't try to do too many museums because the combination of standing and walking slowly past pictures is exhausting.  I was tired doing it in my wheelchair in Florence a couple of weeks ago, and the rest of the family 'walkers' were exhausted.  So I'd say don't plan too much, start the days slowly and schedule afternoon rests.  After such an early start you'll certainly want an afternoon nap in the hotel on the first day.

Are you flying from Manchester or Liverpool?  It won't be a long flight - one and a half hours? - so by the time you've adjusted to it you'll be ready to land.  Food on flights is either awful or non-existent so take some fruit and maybe a roll.  You can get drinks flight side.  As Lucy says, take eye drops but remember to put them in the little plastic bag they provide at security.  I'd also think about getting some of those ear plugs for flights that help your ears adjust to the changes in air pressure.  Pharmacists have them or you could get them at the airport.

The children will be fine and happy to see you when you return.  Have a wonderful time and maybe plan a longer holiday with friends next time! 

Take care - Chickpea xxx

[jaygee]

Some great advice already.

I have to fly once or twice a month for work, but these are only short flights (Manchester to London) and I find my eyes aren't really affected as it is only a short time in the air 

But long haul (10 hours plus,etc), I am really stiff, sore and my eyes are dry as sand!   So definintely take your eye meds and be sure to keep them with you, just in case you are affected.  I think it is the air conditioning on the plane that does for me!  Also, you might consider wearing layers, sometimes they have the heating on high, sometimes it's freezing, so at least you can take off a long sleeved top or add it 

Hope you have lots of fun!   xx

[DragonflyC]

I completely agree w/ Jaygee about wearing layers.  Airplanes can be so cold, except when they're not.  I have a "wooby" sweater that I bought just for flying--it's a cardigan, but it has long sides that I can wrap around myself like a blanket; it's very cozy on red eye flights (though I guess all flights are red eye flights for us--sorry, a little corny Sjogren's humor there!). 

I also always bring eye drops, a little container of moisturizer for my skin, and I buy a bottle of water as soon as I get past the security check points.  Airplane travel can be really drying even for people without autoimmune conditions. I've also used Lucy's sleep mask idea.  Sugarless gum is good if your ears are sensitive to changes in pressure. 

I'm sure that your flight and your trip will be great.  Enjoy!

[Billydude]

The only thing I remind myself of when flying is to not touch my eyes or nose.  There can be so many germs on airplanes.  I used to get a cold after every flight but when I conciously made a point not to touch my face and wash my hands often I haven't had a cold since.
Good luck on your first flight.   I'm relaxed enough that I fall asleep even before take-off and don't wake up until mid flight.   I was a travel agent for 27 years and had many freebie travel agent trips over the years.    The funny thing is that when I first became a travel agent there was a period of time that I had never ever flown so I was booking flights and telling people what to do having not had the experience myself.

[lynnmarie219]

Ailsa,

Go and enjoy yourself! You will have such fun! I personally love to fly, but I remember my first flight and I was a little nervous at first...don't worry..you will relax in a short amount of time and when you fly back home you will be an old pro at it!

My ears are very sensitive to the pressure changes and gum doesn't seem to help me....I usually take an antihistamine before I get on the plane and this seems to keep the pain/pressure down quite a bit for me. It's not the best solution for everyone because antihistamines can be drying...but its better than pain in my ears and being unable to hear when I land which has happened to me!

Good luck...don't worry about the kids....and have a great time. We will be here to listen all about your trip when you get home!