How to make your flying
experience better
Preparation
Preparation Preparation: The first rule of flying is to
make sure that, you prepare for the actual flight. Get there early, you
might find that you are singled out for a random check which adds to
you passage through customs and controls.
Check the seating before you
fly, better still take advantage of the internet check in facility if
it is available.
Eat before you board; the food
you are expecting could have been cancelled or delayed. Take some
snacks with you just in case.
Reading material can be a
lifesaver, crosswords can get the kids involved and relieve boredom.
Some airlines - such as
Ryanair - insist on your having absolutely nothing other than your
carry-on luggage with you when you board; no carrier bags, no cameras,
nothing. Their size rules can mean that even a bulging bag of an
allowable size is refused. - Alain Merlin
Ear
Popping. Avoid flying if you have cold, flu, or
hay-fever. If you have to fly take an oral decongestant before and
after landing. For babies letting them suck a bottle or dummy will help
them reduce earache.
Popping
ears: To prevent ear popping when travelling by air suck
sweets, sip drinks, swallow, chew, or yawn when problems start to
occur. – Scott Ed.
Flying,
ear-popping. I recommend using ear plugs, put them in 30
mins before take-off and take them out after landing. A good brand is
"Ear-planes" which is specifically designed for this. Dan.(Daniel
Penny)
Re.:
Travel tips, Ears Popping. I fly airplanes for a living,
and the previous tips regarding "ear blockage" need further attention.
The
"blocking of the nose, and blowing" is commonly known as the Valsalva
maneuver (see Webster's dictionary.) While this maneuver may certainly
relieve sinus, or ear pressure; some fundamentals should be understood!
Air
pressure, like water pressure, is higher at lower altitudes (or lower
at higher altitudes.)
Imagine
a helium filled balloon. If released into the air, it climbs. As the
air pressure outside the balloon decreases, the rubber balloon feels
more pressure from inside. This continues until the pressure inside the
balloon overcomes the rubber strength and bursts the balloon.
In
the same way, if sinus pressure is not able to escape at a normal rate,
the higher pressure inside your head will feel painful. If you now
apply further pressure, using the Valsalva maneuver, you "could" burst
your tissue balloon. However, while descending to lower altitudes, the
pressure will be applied from outside your sinus system. Your inner ear
has had time to adjust to the pressures at altitude and will now feel a
higher pressure from outside. The Valsalva maneuver "may" relieve
pressure under this situation. Remember though, you are not attempting
to inflate a car tire with you mouth. Extreme pressure "may" do damage
at any altitude.
My
suggestion: I have been flying for more than 13 years and served as
Captain on Boeing 737 and McDonnell Douglas MD80 aircraft. I have never
needed to use the Valsalva maneuver. The moment you feel the aircraft
climbing or descending (the slight tingle in your ear); you should
begin yawning, chewing, swallowing, and exercising your jaws. Each of
these techniques helps, and some work better for some than others. The
key is to "prevent" ear blockage, not correcting it after it hurts. If
you have a sinus irritation prior to flying, consult your physician;
possibly use some sinus relief medication.
I
apologize for the lengthy explanation; but it hurts my ears to see a
recommendation for the Valsalva maneuver without any explanation of the
physics.
Good
Luck; and Happy Flying! --
(K. Simmons)
Tips when flying While a flight attendant, we found
these tips really worked! 1. If you stomach is a little
jumpy, suck on ice cubes. Do not eat or drink anything else for several
hours. 2. If your ear start to feel "weird" and especially if
you have a small child complaining of ear ache, get a coffee cup (paper
or styrofoam) and on the bottom of the cup, put one or more paper
towels that have been soaked in very hot water and wrung out. Place the
cup over the ear that's causing discomfort. In a few moments, your ear
will feel better. 3. NEVER fly if you have any kind
of sinus problems!! If you must, be sure to take medication several
hours prior to your flight. -- K Smith
Caution!!
Ear Pains: If
you're flying and you feel your ears start to pop, whatever you do
DON'T plug your nose, close your mouth and blow...my friend did it and
burst her eardrums. Another trick to try is to put two cups over your
ears, it can help to equalize the pressure. -- Heather
& Steve Campbell
Air-Sickness:
Sit above the wing where there is least turbulence –
Scott Edmunds 1998.
Fear
of Flying Here's a free online course to help with the fear
of flying. http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com
-- Stacey Chance