Sleeping on planes......

[ozbeachbabe]

Most of my overseas travel has been to/from North America so I can usually get some sleep on the way to LAX. On one occasion in J when I hadn't slept due to watching too much of the IFE we had reservations at the Sheraton Four Points LAX and had pre-arranged immediate check-in so it was great to be able to checkin at 0800, have a shower and have a few hours sleep in a proper bed. We were still able to fall asleep that night.

Exercise also helps as I think it helps you acclimatise to the new time zone. On a recent trip to Spain a had a day flight BNE/BKK then a 2040 departure BKK/DOH the next day but only dozed then didn't sleep DOH/BCN. Got to the hotel in Lloret de Mar and only had time for a shower before meeting some of the others for a walk at 1300 to take photos along the coastline. I didn't realise that the organiser was a boot camp instructor hell bent of locating as many Geocache sites as he could along the way. About 5 hours later one of the others with a fitbit said they'd done 17,000 steps! I slept soundly that night.

You may not be able to sleep well on planes but if you're able to have a shower, a change of clothes and a good breakfast in a lounge on arrival that's half the battle. On the way home BCN/DXB/SYD/BNE I'd booked a night at the DXB Airport Terminal Hotel for the 8.5 hour transit from 0030 to 0900 however the flight ex BCN was delayed about 3.5 hours as two exit doors were u/s.

Although a MEL could be applied they had to move pax away from the seats near those doors so they had to upgrade quite a few pax (self included) from Y to J so I was happy to vacate 44A for 12D which allowed me to got some sleep on the plane that I don't think I would've got if I flew in Y.

While the transit time in DXB was reduced by half it was still nice to have a 3 hour sleep at the hotel then a shower before heading down the elevator to the FLounge below to enjoy a yummy breakfast and catch up with KPC who was also on the QF2. On arrival in SYD after customs I had plenty of time for a shower in the Dom J Lounge then breakkie before my SYD/BNE flight. I didn't feel I had jetlag at any point but when returning from Europe ie flying Eastbound you need to be strict with yourself and go to bed at normal time back in Oz or you will be tempted to stay up until the wee hours of the morning and want to sleep until midday.

While not everyone can fly J all of the time you can minimise the effects of jetlag by:

a) pre-allocated the best seats you can ahead of time in the class of travel you're flying in
b) see if it's possible to arrange immediate access to a hotel room on arrival
c) take a change of clothes in your carry on
d if you have a long transit en-route is there an airport hotel or sleeping pods etc available
e) check ahead of time if there are showers in the lounge at your destination or transfer point
f) if no lounge access are there public showers you can use?
g) have a decent breakfast on arrival if you arrive at breakfast time (a friend swears by a protein shake)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

MEL how are the 'after effects' if you take 1/3 to 1/2? And does the reduced dosage get yo to sleep k? I assume recommended dosage for an adult is one tab?

Yeah - I find they can get me to sleep ok (as in the dose is strong enough)... and the after effects seem less severe. I'm sort of ok about 6-8 hours after taking it. However... 1/3 of a table you wake up feeling a bit groggy, but a coffee and shower later you can sort of shrug it off. A whole tablet... the coffees and shower may do absolutely nothing... bang out asleep again.

But the problem is mainly that it is inconsistent... one time 1/3 is enough, another times you might need a 1/2. And other times a 1/2 is too much.

Even if you try it out at home (and wake up fine)... there is no certainty you'll get the same effect a second time, or on the plane. Which is quite different from temazapam.

 

[ReLoad]

As a former QF400 commuter I developed the ability to fall asleep prior to leaving the gate and only waking when the pilot guns the engines for take off, start decent and in touchdown.

The last 18 months I've also learned a flexible body clock, similar in a way to flight crew.

In saying that I take a tamazepam when on the really long flights.

Nothing beats a comfy seat, a flavoursome meal, my Emirates eye shades, QC20s(they area godsend) and a movie.

I also tend to try be ultra busy before the long flights, helps me unwind.

Best sleep I always get is transpac coming home. The late departure, combined with exhaustion and the fact I'm coming home is awesomely good for a great sleep. Record was 13 hours from DFW in F. CSM thought at one stage I had died

That flight was worth every point.

 

[Revolio]

Anybody tried Kirkland Signature sleeping tabs? Info here: Best Over The Counter Sleep Aids

I stumbled across this site couple weeks back and my niece in Houston has secured me a bottle and sent across - will report back in a few weeks after I try them.

CE the active ingredient in Kirkland Signature sleeping tabs is Doxylamine Succincate. Known in Australia as Restavit. It's pharmacist only, so you can't get it off the shelf but any pharmacist will let you have it for any sleeplessness issue. I never take more than a sixth (of a tab) - too groggy the next day. I wouldn't use them for flying sleep, nor would I ever use Phenergan for same, but use both at home, sparingly (cognition issues and a family history of AD). Overseas, I like to set the awareness dial to max!

 

[bam71]

Some Lounge time, champers. On board change into the PJ's straight after take off ( or my own version if on a non PJ carrier). Champagne, white wine with entree as a rule, red wine for the main ( we try to have a fairly heavy meal to aid in the sleep process). Cheese plate and another glass or two of red whilst watching a few episodes of something interesting. Then 1/2 a stillnox each. Taking note of the consumption time is critical to ensure that it is ear plugs in, eye mask on and bed mode at swallow plus 20 mins. Always get a solid 8hrs. We never bother though with the shorter Asia to Aus trips as it just wouldn't work.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I was reading this thread in the waiting room of the Drs this am wondering if I should ask for chemical help for a months time. Decided against it. Popped across to Chemist Warehouse and bought some melatonin (used to be unavailable in Australia) and decided the PrincessF plan of this and Champagne will do the trick.

Pleased to be doing a day flight to HK to experience all the treatments of J but an overnight flight to Paris landing at 6am will do me in otherwise.

I'm pretty sure any Melatonin bought OTC in Australia is Homeopathic ie. sugar pills.
If you want to get some here you can get it two ways:
Prescription by a doctor either for Circadin or Melatonin from a compounding chemist.
Buy online from eBay etc in the USA.

 

[Revolio]

I'm pretty sure any Melatonin bought OTC in Australia is Homeopathic ie. sugar pills.
If you want to get some here you can get it two ways:
Prescription by a doctor either for Circadin or Melatonin from a compounding chemist.
Buy online from eBay etc in the USA.

Princess F's post is 100% on the money. (from my experience, and it varies from individual to individual, obviously) any of the products mentioned that manipulate the CNS may possibly have depression as a side-effect if used often (or less). Always have to tread with caution (and GP oversight).

On a side note Coursera (a free online university campus that covers over a 100unis around the globe), is currently running Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine & Society out of Uni of Michigan if anyone is interested {coursera.org}

 

[Pushka]

I'm pretty sure any Melatonin bought OTC in Australia is Homeopathic ie. sugar pills.
If you want to get some here you can get it two ways:
Prescription by a doctor either for Circadin or Melatonin from a compounding chemist.
Buy online from eBay etc in the USA.

Princess F's post is 100% on the money. (from my experience, and it varies from individual to individual, obviously) any of the products mentioned that manipulate the CNS may possibly have depression as a side-effect if used often (or less). Always have to tread with caution (and GP oversight).

On a side note Coursera (a free online university campus that covers over a 100unis around the globe), is currently running Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine & Society out of Uni of Michigan if anyone is interested {coursera.org}

Crud. I didn't see that it was homeopathic ie rubbish. It says it contains Melatonin 6X? What kind of doseage is that!

My niece has just completed her PhD in sleep disorders amongst young men. Not sure how the cause and effect issue is but I think there is a significant correlation between lack of sleep and mental health issues.

 

[Boca68]

Some Lounge time, champers. On board change into the PJ's straight after take off ( or my own version if on a non PJ carrier). Champagne, white wine with entree as a rule, red wine for the main ( we try to have a fairly heavy meal to aid in the sleep process). Cheese plate and another glass or two of red whilst watching a few episodes of something interesting. Then 1/2 a stillnox each. Taking note of the consumption time is critical to ensure that it is ear plugs in, eye mask on and bed mode at swallow plus 20 mins. Always get a solid 8hrs. We never bother though with the shorter Asia to Aus trips as it just wouldn't work.

OMG! 4 , possibly 5 or 6 glasses of wine with 1/2 a stilnox? Your kidding.
I'd be gone for 3 or 4 days with that.

Then again, on long hauls, I know if I don't get to sleep early, i.e. right after 1st meal, I will never get to sleep on that flight. Generally , wait for 1st meal, 2 glasses of wine, then out like a light! QC25's with ambient music or just white noise, mask and done.

 

[Pushka]

Stilnox affects people differently.

 

[tgh]

The Pachyderm in this discussion has to be the capacity to respond to unexpected environmental changes.
I would always hope to have some sense of self determination in a crisis.. even in a large tubular coffin.
I guess a little fatalistic confidence is self inclusive for those who take sleeping tablets.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Getting interesting now huh?

 

[JohnM]

Never have a problem sleeping; never taken sleeping pills.

Plenty of times I have dozed off during T/O - even while in lengthy queues in the US. There seems to be something about the T/O process that is immensely soothing (mind you, a couple of drinks in the lounge before T/O probably helps that).

I almost never use the IFE, except to check location on the flightpath. Like to sit back and slowly enjoy the food and bev, read or listen to my music.

At sleep time, I just use earplugs, no mask.

I do have a lingering bucket-list desire to engage in the OP's third-mentioned fundamental behaviour, I must admit. Preferably in F but happy to test the bodily flexibility anywhere for that opportunity .

 

[Pushka]

The Pachyderm in this discussion has to be the capacity to respond to unexpected environmental changes.
I would always hope to have some sense of self determination in a crisis.. even in a large tubular coffin.
I guess a little fatalistic confidence is self inclusive for those who take sleeping tablets.

If there was an emergency then honestly I am not sure my actions are going to make much difference.

 

[Revolio]

The Pachyderm in this discussion has to be the capacity to respond to unexpected environmental changes.
I would always hope to have some sense of self determination in a crisis.. even in a large tubular coffin.
I guess a little fatalistic confidence is self inclusive for those who take sleeping tablets.

thanks tgh. I was blissfully ignorant of the meaning of tachyderm, and its existence to be honest, so I've been enlightened. Hope I've applied the correct context. All I can contribute from my worldview is awareness is just about as important as self-awareness. (?)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess a little fatalistic confidence is self inclusive for those who take sleeping tablets.

Depends on the sleeping tablet. And the person. Something like tempzepam you can be snapped out of in about 3 seconds. Valium or xanax maybe not so much. For safety reasons I wouldn't take sleeping pills before take-off.

 

[Renato1]

I'm like you - I only sleep around five hours a night.

But on any12 or 23 or 27 hour flight, I tend to get around 45 minutes sleep - if I'm lucky.
I've given up trying to sleep properly on planes.

When we get to where we are going to - I still tend to be wide awake, while my wife who usually manages four or five hours sleep is pretty much out of it.
Regards,
Renato

 

[clazman]

If I am paying the fare I want value, movies, food and drink with a nana nap

 

[seanpodge]

Sadly been stuck in Y for the vast majority of my flights. Sleep is very difficult. I'm pretty tall so it's difficult to find a comfortable position. On longer flights I do fall asleep that it's mainly out of sheer exhaustion and the sleep isn't really pleasant or refreshing.

I've only flown J twice, both short hops (HRB-PRK return, about 2 hours one way) on MU when they put the A330 on the route and were basically selling J fares at Y prices. After a meal I managed to fall asleep like a baby and only woken up by the FA telling me that we're about to land. Also have flown TK Y+ IST-PEK and I'm pretty sure I slept OK then too.

In September I'll be blowing my FF points on China to USA trip in J. Wondering if I should stay up or sleep?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In September I'll be blowing my FF points on China to USA trip in J. Wondering if I should stay up or sleep?

Sleep when you want to sleep! As I've mentioned before... you'll miss absolutely nothing! Premium cabins are the same as economy... in between meal services there's nothing special... about all you can do is watch a movie or drink. If you want to make sure you enjoy the second meal, just advice the cabin crew you want to be woken.