[Hypiereon]

TIP #1: Fly First Class.

OK, so you can't afford that, try these tips instead . . .

My number one rule for those transpacific flights - DRESS COMFORTABLY!

My family dresses way down for these flights - sweats and flip flops - for two reasons: 1. getting through airport security is a literal breeze, and two, the flip flops can be stowed in the little flap-compartment of the seat in front of you leaving your feet able to breathe (just be sure you're feet are clean and you're wearing clean socks - socks will keep your feet clean on the airplane, and smelly feet is just rude). For security checks, they are so easy to pop on and off so there is no time spent messing with laces.

Next, we take the absolute minimum we think we can get by with for a carry-on. I've seen people, and was one of them a few times, who pack everything but the kitchen sink, and whatever wouldn't fit in their suitcase they loaded into a carryon and are trying to muscle their way around the aisles and shove overstuffed small bags into overhead compartments - invariably, they will have to retrieve some small object which has found it's way to the botom of this carry on - and you can guess the rest of THAT story. For security checks, one bag running through the system is enough. Flip flops off and on, grab the bag and you're through. In sweats and flip flops, there should be no metal on your person to set off the detector. Wish everyone would get the idea - it'd make the lines move quicker. But even if everyone else doesn't, you can sit back and watch their frustration and thank your lucky stars that you are not one of them!

Why not pack all that extra important crap into a box and pay for extra bags and be done with it? Why not just have it shipped over later? Why not just carry that small little important item, among other things, in a smaller friendlier, easier to handle bag that can lay at your feet?

I've done it both ways. The sheer stress-relief is worth doing it the simpler way. You're not always looking after multiple carryons in the bathroom, and you don't even have to fuss with overhead bins that everyone else needs so badly. Everything you really want is at your fingertips. The dress code I outlined above makes the security checks and the seats you will be in for hours so much more comfortable. Suffice it to say, this is the way I have just made up my mind to do it from now on.

My list of things to put in the bag to make the flight easier:

1. Portable DVD player and two or three DVD's with an extra battery.
2. MP3 player with extra batteries.
3. 3 types of books for reading: a) interesting fictional novel b) humor c) something along the self-help/how to get better at something line
4. A puzzle book, such as Sudoku, Wordfind, Crossword puzzles etc . . .
5. My favorite munchies - something salty and something sweet, but also easy to handle without making a big mess. My votes, a plastic baggie of Planter's peanuts, and a Snicker bar or two (or three or four).
6. Drinks can be had just by asking, but I usually get up to ask and stretch my legs.

My PERSONAL TOP SECRET TIPS:

1. When booking the flight, put yourself on the list for "Fat free" meals. First, none of the airline meals taste that great anyway, but these won't add to your waistline, and have actually tasted pretty good. The kicker: THESE MEALS ARE ALWAYS SERVED FIRST! This means you get your food before anyone else, which means you'll get finished eating before anyone else, which means you'll be first in line for the bathrooms.
   
   Everyone on the plane is basically eating at the same time, and low and behold, 30 minutes later there are a lot of anxious looking people standing in a line in various contorted positions with faces that are just begging for a place farther up the line. Even if I end up with a regular meal, I'll hit the bathrooms just to "purge" whatever I can before sitting down for the meal. Standing in line when you really gotta go rots!
   
2. Be the last person on the plane. Look, the plane is going to leave when everyone is on board. If you've done what I told you to before, then there's no need to rush on board and sit there for an hour before the plane even leaves the gate because you HAD to have space in the overhead compartment. Leave that to the poor folks who have no idea what is in store for them.
   
   I'll sit in the gate waiting area, or stand, or walk around, or do SOEMTHING else while everyone else is standing in line trying to get on the plane, and others are actually already in their seats, and have been sitting there, for about 30 - 45 minutes by the time I get on board. Even trying to be the last person, there are those people who inevitably come running in a panic up behind me because they thought they weren't going to make the flight for whatever reason. To me, it's just not worth the headache. I've been one of the first people on the plane, and all that did was make me sit there and wait, like everyone else, for the last minute person who comes running down the jetway waving a ticket, and toting two pieces of overstuffed carry-on's and a "personal bag".

You have to realize something - for the most part, everyone cannot get up and walk around the ariplane at the same time, so chances are very high that you're about to spend the next 10 - 15 or more hours sitting in a very tiny space. Ask yourself what would you have to do to get rid of as many headaches, hang-ups, worries, and extra crap to watch out for? Then do it.