Long flights in the back of the airplane

If you fly a lot internationally, you already have your list of little survival tricks. Every flyer is different, and what works for one person might be hellish torture for another. Here's what works for us.

Our on-board survival kit includes:

     1. Snacks, especially Trail Mix, Pringles, peanut butter crackers and M&M Peanuts. 

     2. A bottle of water.

     3. A very good book or two that you already have started so you know you like it. (Rebecca reads actual books printed on paper; Mark reads them on his iPad. There are arguments for both.)

     4. A fully-charged iPod or other music player with a good pair of noise canceling ear buds or headphones.

     5. Sweatpants to change into after take-off.

     6. Ear plugs if you don't have an iPod.

     7. For an 8-hour flight, 5 mg of Ambien is a Godsend, but don't take any medications unless you check with your doctor first, OK? We're telling you what works for us, and we have a prescription. Got that?

     8. The kind of travel pillow you get at a travel store.

     9. Mark takes BreatheRight strips.

     10. Rebecca likes crossword puzzles; Mark likes Word Search.

Mark has found that audio books help pass the time better than the written word. Of course, you run the risk of falling asleep in the middle of a crucial chapter. 

Next time we'll talk about packing. Air Tahiti Nui has some very strict baggage restrictions, and it will be interesting to see how we meet them.