Sleep on plane
1. Bring a neck pillow.
2. Your seat location could be one of the most important factors in how well or how poorly you sleep on your next trip. Try to get a window seat if possible; it will give you something to lean against and get you out of the way of other folks in your row, who won't have to scramble over you each time they need to use the bathroom. You'll also have some control over the window shade. Another area to avoid is the last row of the plane. Again, the seats may not recline, and they're often located right near the lavatories, where both noise and odor could be an issue.?
3. Make sure you won't be disturbed. Notify your flight attendant that you want to sleep, that way he or she will know not to disturb you when the drink or snack cart comes around.
4. Recline your seat, but be courteous. On a night flight, expecting someone not to sleep is like asking them to put down their window shade during a flight over the Grand Canyon or Haleakala. Ideally, everyone has the same idea and seatbacks will tip backward soon into your flight. However, you should always look behind you to make sure the coast is clear before pushing the button to put your seat back. It gives the person behind you a heads up if they have coffee in front of them or have their head down on the tray table.
5. Blankets and pillows - stake your claim. There are never enough blankets and pillows to go around. Board early and stake your claim. If there isn't a set in your seat, immediately ask the flight attendant for one.
6. Cut down on your carry-ons. If you have two full carry-ons, one might end up under your feet, limiting your legroom and making it harder to sleep. Try this: Take one carry-on, and inside that one have a small knapsack or pouch packed with essentials like snacks, favorite socks and a book. Before you stow the larger bag, take the smaller bag out and stuff it into the back of the seat in front of you.
7. Forget the caffeine. Especially on a daytime flight, where even the view out the window can be a distraction, you'll find it much harder to sleep if you have caffeine coursing through your veins. Skip the temptation to have a cup of coffee or a soda before boarding, and stick to water or juice when the drink cart comes around.
8. Use headphones with discretion. Save yourself the $4 - $5 and catch some more winks by passing on the airline's headphones. TV and movies can keep you up the entire flight. On the other hand, listening to soothing music can help tune out distractions and lull you into a peaceful sleep. For best results, try Bose's popular noise-canceling headphones; they're pricey, but they're the best product on the market for frequent fliers looking to escape engine noise and other in-flight distractions.
9. Stay away from the light. The animated flash of movie screens, reading lights, cabin lights, sunlight bursting in on an eastbound flight - all can disturb your slumber. Get yourself an eye mask. Some airlines provide them, but it's best to keep one in your traveling kit just to be safe.?
10. If you're under a blanket, be sure your seat belt is buckled over top of it so the belt is visible at all times.
11. When it's time to wake up... consider setting a watch or cell phone alarm for 45 minutes before you have to land. That gives you time to go to the restroom, gather your gear, tie your shoes, watch the approach to your destination - you might even convince an attendant to pour you a cup of coffee - and walk off the plane fully awake.
2009-10-12
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