Women Travelers - Essentials for a MR?

Hubby and I will be on our first official MR at the start of May. Normally we just book as many sectors as possible to get to our destination when we travel but this is 12 flights in 4 days, including two TA sectors and DTW-Montreal (can never remember the code! Q something).

Obviously comfy clothes are a must. Will be travelling with carry on only as there really is little chance of our bags doing all those sectors! I always bring a pashmina-type blanket and my own pillow. ipod and books a must as well, and a battery pack to back up my ipod battery too seeing as I may not get much charge time between flights. Will work out some snacks that can liven up the thought of so many airline "meals". Is there something I'm missing? Will bring loads of moisturiser/handcream for the dryness.

Haven't added up the flying hours (its a lot) so the biggest risk is boredom. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Will bring loads of moisturiser/handcream for the dryness.

Make sure loads of moisturiser/handcream fit in 3.4oz bottles.

Change of clothes would be good. And please plan ahead for showers at some intermediate stops. Your fellow passengers will appreciate it, especially after 4 days.

Don't forget to bring passport.

Even if you can't shower completely, you can pack wet wipes and at least "freshen up" at the airport.

Also, eye shades, so you can nap on the longer segments.

I thought the clothes went without saying :p As regards showers, we won't be badly off. There's only one overnight flight so we have two airport hotel nights (one full night with a 4am start, one arrive midnight, depart 5.30am so a little sleep, shower and gone) so my fellow travellers have nothing to fear!

Moisturiser, I've been stockpiling 50ml tubes and I think I can get enough in my ziplock to keep me from complaining.

We travel a lot anyway so I'm not a naiive traveller, more concerned about so many flights in a short time. I would like to still be speaking to my husband at the end of it all!

We travel a lot anyway so I'm not a naiive traveller, more concerned about so many flights in a short time. I would like to still be speaking to my husband at the end of it all!


Yeah, that's the biggest issue at hand :D

Hubby and I will be on our first official MR at the start of May. Normally we just book as many sectors as possible to get to our destination when we travel but this is 12 flights in 4 days, including two TA sectors and DTW-Montreal (can never remember the code! Q something).Sounds like a lot of BIS minutes as well as miles. I'd have just a little concern for DVT. Isn't the best prevention for that to stay well hydrated and get plenty of exercise between flights?

Walk that concourse! :D

I am just wrapping up a 65K MR over 10 days, with a carryon and a laptop bag.
By far the skin care product I relied on was a pack of Nivea Visage Facial cleansing wipes. they removed mascara well, left my skin feeling great, as they are infused with almond oil. Since we just had summer in Australia I am still packing a tan, which meant makeup wasnt a huge concern.
Mascara, a blush, some of my fav shampoo and conditioner decanted into small previously used travel size bottles, and good to go.

I guess entertainment, sleep (comfort) and hygiene would be the main concerns.

Entertainment: Pack a 120GB Ipod full of music and get some good noise-canceling in-ear headphones possibly with one of those converters so you can use it with your airline's outlet. A laptop with reading material. A Kindle electronic reader instead of books. Some kind of game you'd like to play with your husband (not what you think ;) ).

Sleep: Some regular ear plugs. Thick socks to keep the feet warm. A big shawl to wrap yourself in and separate yourself from the world. Eye mask. Sleep aids. I'd wear pants with a drawstring instead of a belt or an elastic waist. Pillow, as you say.

Hygiene: I'd bring some Vitamin C for when you need a little pep. Something for an upset stomach. Elastic sport bands for exercising. Wet wipes and whatever you think you need. I'd go without make-up if I was a woman. I'd also fill a water bottle at every airport.

Besides that, I'd do some research into specialties that might be available duty free in the countries where you are going and I'd totally max out the limit on those things; perhaps even take orders from friends to rentabilize the MR? I'd also bring a compact camera to document everything.

I'd somehow try to give it some added sense. Maybe get some work done, or write long emails to friends who you haven't been in touch with in a while (you got a good story to tell), or actually just relax and do stuff you didn't have the time to do in a long time, or use the time to catch up with your husband. Just don't talk his ear off. ;) A lot of women have an awful tendency to start talking non-stop as soon as we are trapped with them in a moving vehicle. It's horrible, be nice!

Till

A lot of women have an awful tendency to start talking non-stop as soon as we are trapped with them in a moving vehicle. It's horrible, be nice!

Till:td::td:

You do realize this is the Women Travelers Forum, don't you?

:td::td:

You do realize this is the Women Travelers Forum, don't you?

I do. Do you have any sense of humor? :rolleyes:

Besides, she said she was hoping to still speak to her husband afterwards. In that case this is the single most important tip I can give her as a man. I also used the word "most", which means, if it feels more comfortable, anyone can kindly feel excluded. Of course, if the shoe fits...

Till

Thanks for the tips - at least nobody suggested that the best way to still be talking was to sit miles away from each other on the plane!!

Would love a Kindle....too late at this stage methinks but maybe next time. I see there's a Kindle app for iphones/itouch but it's only available from the US store. Still it brings me back to my main ipod problem, battery life. I have an itouch and get Dub-Atl from it so it's 9 hours ish. Have a AA battery pack too that boosts it, must remember to pack spare batteries!

I always travel with Emergen-C. And lots of lip balm.

Lots of magazines - they weigh less than books and when you're done you can just leave it in the seat pocket for someone else. :)

Thanks for the tips - at least nobody suggested that the best way to still be talking was to sit miles away from each other on the plane!!

Would love a Kindle....too late at this stage methinks but maybe next time. I see there's a Kindle app for iphones/itouch but it's only available from the US store. Still it brings me back to my main ipod problem, battery life. I have an itouch and get Dub-Atl from it so it's 9 hours ish. Have a AA battery pack too that boosts it, must remember to pack spare batteries!

I think there's a thread about the Kindle on FT. It might be in OMNI. I'd love to have one too but they are missing a feature that I think would be important especially for a night flight. They aren't back-lit. I heard that someone else (maybe Apple??) is coming out with one that has a back light.

Bobette

Wool socks!

Great things have been said here:

advil, advil, emergen-c, advil, vitamins, some hard candy if your mouth feels icky, any prescription meds in the original bottles in case you get delayed
extra pair of smalls in case you get delayed
your phone charger and a back up in case you lose one (if you have room in your carry on)
an extra book in case you hate the one you have
a sense of humor
a baseball cap to hide under
eye shades
a pashmina for your husband -- he'll steal yours once he realizes how warm yours is
ear plugs
a journal - can be small to memorialize your trip
pack of tissues
another lip balm for the one that will fall out of your coat somewhere on your sixth leg
wool socks
some feminine hygiene products if you are of that age == travel always screws up my system
sudukos/crosswords/ken kens = I have a calendar with one a day. I rip them off and put them in my bag instead of carrying a book. I can then share some with my seat opponent if they are inclined and bored.

yes, there have been trips where I have asked the gate agent to move me away from TH (kidding), but after that long on the plane together it may not be a bad idea

Not that lip blam and an additional phone charger weigh a lot but lip balm can be found at any airport and the phone might not be functional internationally anyway. Besides that, even a charger can be found at most airports, so she would only need to incur that cost when it really happens.

I do like the pashmina for husband idea, though. That's very sweet. :) And smart, because only a warm husband will be able to give her additional warmth if the pashmina isn't enough.

Till

Thanks so much ladies. Think I'm going to treat myself to a new handbag so that I can access all the stuff I need mid flight more easily. My carry on is hard shelled (only 4 wheeler I could get at the time) so not easy to delve into to retrieve the essentials mid flight!

I would be afraid of DVT and pack compression stockings to wear (at least during the long flights).

Take care and enjoy!
QMConsultant

In addition to several of the items mentioned in previous posts, I also take a motion sickness tablet before the longest flight. This serves a dual purpose by causing drowsiness (so I can sleep in-flight) as well as preventing motion sickness should there be significant turbulence. I would also take plenty of anti-bacterial wipes and a small bandana or scarf. I use the small scarf to place over my face while I sleep as I've yet to find a comfortable eye mask.

I second the Aireborn. Booklight, Logic puzzle book, sudoku book

I would be afraid of DVT and pack compression stockings to wear (at least during the long flights).

Take care and enjoy!
QMConsultant

My GF wears her compression stockings religiously when she flies and has done so for years. She is only 30 and says it makes a huge difference in how her legs feel and how stressed she is.

Till

Great suggestions & I now have added a few items to my carry-on.

My new must have for every trip is my MSI Wind Netbook. Bought it in early March & I can't believe what a difference it has made to travel. Very lightweight & compact: weighs 2.5 lbs, has a 10" screen, good keyboard, 160 GBHD & 1 GBRAM. Mine was loaded with Windows XP (not VISTA) & was about $350 AI @BestBuy. Only downside is can't play DVD's, but I don't miss that at all as mostly want it for mail, calendar, internet, downloading docs, photos, etc. Good discussion on FT Travel Technology on various models:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/918708-netbook-travel.html

As a bonus, it also fits in all hotel room safes -even the old ones as it is so small!

I think there's a thread about the Kindle on FT. It might be in OMNI. I'd love to have one too but they are missing a feature that I think would be important especially for a night flight. They aren't back-lit. I heard that someone else (maybe Apple??) is coming out with one that has a back light.

Bobette

its on FT Travel Technology here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/925546-got-my-kindle-2-today.html

its on FT Travel Technology here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/925546-got-my-kindle-2-today.html

The Sony PRS-700 has a built in light. But unlike the Kindle, it does not have Wifi, so you'd have to download via a computer. May not be an issue for you if living outside US (which I believe to be the zone where Kindle wifi is free).

slippers (I use the Isotoners ones - take your pick cotton or velvet) and toilet paper.... in case you;re the last in there in a long queue on a long flight :-)

For DVT, do the recommended exercises and walk the aisle every hour, do some knee bends, etc wherever you can. I would suggest an adult aspirin everyday to keep the blood a little on the thin side. I had a mini-stroke two days after a flight only from CA to Houston. VERY tiny clot. I hope you plan for some decent sleep. You will feel like the wrath of God by the end otherwise. Good luck! We are doing ours once a week instead of all at once. Luckily, we are in CA so get in on the CA to Boston promo.

As someone who had DVT last year, I second the aspirin. My pulmonary doc recommended aspirin before flying--always. He said he does the same.

I also recommend taking along an antihistimine. Yesterday I was on a MR and had a sinus headache. I was glad I had something in my purse.

Keep hydrated! Bring along your own bottle and fill it after security. Some FAs are good about keeping glasses filled, but most aren't.

Rather than a phone charger, I take my regular phone and my old phone both fully charged. If first one dies, I just switch the sim to the other one. No need to find an electric outlet and the time to recharge. And the backup phone is smaller than a charger.

On that note, we have had success asking a restaurant hostess to recharge for us if we had the charger.

My GF wears her compression stockings religiously when she flies and has done so for years. She is only 30 and says it makes a huge difference in how her legs feel and how stressed she is.

Till

+1 on the compression socks -- they are fabulous and I can certainly tell the difference post-flight when I haven't had them (generally that weird slightly vibrating feeling in legs does not occur), generally in black, navy blue and khaki and knee sock length, can get a little smelly on long MRs but a little baby powder on feet works fine, I have TravelSox brand and they're about $20/pair

aspirin is also good but I always get lots of bruises

My personal favorite is to download recorded books onto my Ipod. Many, many books. Our public library has a great selection. ^ I always have several books on my Ipod so I don't risk running out of entertainment. A lifelong reader, I find nothing more relaxing than being read to. It also saves my eyes from getting tired. I just carry one magazine to read during take off and landing.

I have this mini facial spray that I use on the long MR. I spritz my face and it instantly hydrated my face. And it smells great. I think you've got everything else covered. Have good flights!

Well I'm back and surprised at how few of my supplies I actually used. Used asprin, flight socks, hand cream and lip balm. Of course, moisturiser, deodorant, cleansing wipes and toothbrush/paste too!

IFE on the long flights was good so I caught up with some movies. Food was edible so barely touched my "in flight snack pack" and I didn't even open my books! iTouch was invaluable for internet access in the lounges and even some In Flight Surfing on a Delta wifi fitted plane.

Would still pack everything for the next MR, we were just lucky this time. Thanks to everyone for the fab suggestions.

PS Hubby and I got on very well and are still speaking :p

Well I'm back and surprised at how few of my supplies I actually used. Used asprin, flight socks, hand cream and lip balm. Of course, moisturiser, deodorant, cleansing wipes and toothbrush/paste too!

IFE on the long flights was good so I caught up with some movies. Food was edible so barely touched my "in flight snack pack" and I didn't even open my books! iTouch was invaluable for internet access in the lounges and even some In Flight Surfing on a Delta wifi fitted plane.

Would still pack everything for the next MR, we were just lucky this time. Thanks to everyone for the fab suggestions.

PS Hubby and I got on very well and are still speaking :p

Perfect, glad you made it safe and sound and that the marriage is still intact. ;)

Till

Tomorrow I am off to a 2 night MR to AMS from LAX.
Taking big enough bag to hold Kindle, lipstick, medication and night cream.
Carrying on small leather Tumi.(no wheels). I'll pack underwear, nightie, change of clothes and one pair of shoes. That should leave me enough room for any purchases.

Dang Vilma, AMS would be fun with you. Come down to BRU where TH and I will be on Saturday. ;)

I am bringing my 22" rollaboard just like I am going on a normal trip. I can use it for a foot rest in the exit row and gosh knows I'll go shopping and those boxes of chocolate can get pretty bulky.

My tote has my documents, a book, two little clutch things with ipod, eyeshade, earplugs, advil, prescriptions, book, suduko calendar pages (smart, eh?), pashmina and a snack or seven. Usually have room in there for some sort of duty free purchase as well.

I did a two day trip with TH and we survived okay, this time, we'll see. We're on opposite sides of the plane to maximize elite seat privileges.

We're on opposite sides of the plane to maximize elite seat privileges.

I am not familiar with this strategy. Can you explain, please?

Thanks.

Till

I have this mini facial spray that I use on the long MR. I spritz my face and it instantly hydrated my face. And it smells great. I think you've got everything else covered. Have good flights!

Do you have a brand name or something for this? It sounds great, but I've never heard of it.

Dang Vilma, AMS would be fun with you. Come down to BRU where TH and I will be on Saturday. ;)

I am bringing my 22" rollaboard just like I am going on a normal trip. I can use it for a foot rest in the exit row and gosh knows I'll go shopping and those boxes of chocolate can get pretty bulky.

My tote has my documents, a book, two little clutch things with ipod, eyeshade, earplugs, advil, prescriptions, book, suduko calendar pages (smart, eh?), pashmina and a snack or seven. Usually have room in there for some sort of duty free purchase as well.

I did a two day trip with TH and we survived okay, this time, we'll see. We're on opposite sides of the plane to maximize elite seat privileges.

I suppose I could take the train to BRU on Sat. PM me with details. Have never been to BRU and I'm right across from the train Station/airport. I'll consider it a combination MR/Chocolate run.:)

I have this mini facial spray that I use on the long MR. I spritz my face and it instantly hydrated my face. And it smells great. I think you've got everything else covered. Have good flights!

Do you have a brand name or something for this? It sounds great, but I've never heard of it.

I'm not the OP of this information, but I have something similar. The one I have is brand name Aubrey Organics and it's a Sparkling Mineral Water Herbal Complexion Mist. It's a pump spray and does smell quite nice. Also good for hair touch ups. http://www.amazon.com/Aubrey-Sparkling-Mineral-Herbal-Complexion/dp/B000GHT9EU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1241838010&sr=8-2

In addition, Evian makes a spray (actual spray, not pump) of just plain water that I absolutely love for long trips. Spraying it just in front of my face and breathing in air with actual moisture in it feel fabulous. http://www.amazon.com/Evian-Brumisateur-Mineral-Travel-Individuals/dp/B000PL0CRK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1241838045&sr=1-13

Thanks for that! I will have to start looking around a bit closer.