anybody here ever been on an international flight?

[elementskater15]

I have had my flight for Thailand booked for a couple weeks now. I have never been on an airplane before in my life. I used American Airlines and my flight is out of Atlanta. Has anyone ever used them before? How do I get my tickets? Also, how can I exchange my money for another currency?

[beef_bourito]

you can exchange you money for other currencies at the bank. i don't know how the banking system works in the states for this since it's a unit banking system instead of a branch bak system like in canada but you should be able to go in and just buy some forreign currency.

[Toksin]

Airline food is shit. Have a big feed before your flight and sleep as much as you can. Being in a tin-can for half a day really gets to you.

For changing money, when you get to the other side, in the international terminal there is always a Bureau de Change that allows you to exchange money.

If you booked through a travel agent they will tell you how to get your tickets, if not, just call AA up and ask. Chances are you'll just pick up your boarding passes at the airport.

Hope you shopped around for flights instead of just picking the first one that came to mind.

Hope you have a visitor's visa sorted too.

[elementskater15]

I dont need a visa for Thailand as long as my stay is under 30 days. I will get one while I am there though because I'm going back for two months for summer. And yea, I called and they told me to get my passes at the Airport after they verify my passport. Half a day...I wish. Try 30 hours. I got a deal on my flight..kinda. One of my friends dads is an air traffic controller in the Fort Worth airport and got me like $400 off what everyone else was asking. $1462. Do you think it might be a good idea to send money to my girlfriend and have her exchange it before i get there?

[ec437]

AAA can exchange money for you. You can also just use your credit card or the ATMs over there and it will do it automatically, and you will usually get a better rate than you can with a moneychanger, a bank, or AAA.

[2.2 Straight six]

i've been on loads of international flight. i think my first one was when i was only a few weeks old.

nothing to worry about, they're just very very boring and you're stuck in a seat for ages.

my longest flight was 26 hours, in two legs.

[Toksin]

Originally Posted by elementskater15

I dont need a visa for Thailand as long as my stay is under 30 days. I will get one while I am there though because I'm going back for two months for summer. And yea, I called and they told me to get my passes at the Airport after they verify my passport. Half a day...I wish. Try 30 hours. I got a deal on my flight..kinda. One of my friends dads is an air traffic controller in the Fort Worth airport and got me like $400 off what everyone else was asking. $1462. Do you think it might be a good idea to send money to my girlfriend and have her exchange it before i get there?

Nah, seriously dude, it's piss easy to exchange money. Just go to the Bureau, give em your dollars and tell em what currency you want back. Voila.

Are you flying in two legs?

BTW get up occasionally and stretch your legs on the flight. Sitting in the same seat for hours and hours on end = pain.

[freakray]

Been on 26 international flights.....still alive - they can't be that bad.

If you plan on carrying money, go to your bank and get travellers checks, they're 100% safer than carrying cash in any shape or form and are insurable so if you lose them you can get them replaced.

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

I've been on 2 going to England and back. They were 18hrs a peice. The worse part is seeing the same shitty movie over and over again. Like Toksin said, eat a bunch before you go, and I suggest you tire yourself out so that you'll sleep as much as possible on the flight.

Other than that, its easy as pie, the whole ordeal is pretty straight forward.

[2.2 Straight six]

i've been on 72 international flights. they're not that bad.


(that's as many as i can remember, there may be more)

[elementskater15]

sorry, i haven't been checking my thread, my 10 minute power nap turned in to me sleeping all afternoon. Anyhow..my flight is from Atlanta to Fort Worth, Fort Worth to Tokyo, Tokyo to Bangkok. All this makes me feel so much better about going. I think, my plane leaves around 8am and arrives at 11am the next day, which is 11pm in Bangkok. Still, Im not looking forward to the texas-japan flight

[replicant_008]

Flying internationally...

First of all, the currency thing. Travellers' cheques are a safe way to go - AMEX ones are good but note that in some instances you will pay commissions to cash them - which is okay. An option is to take some US currency and exchange it at your destination but given the context of your note then the chances of getting a good rate and not being ripped off would suggest that travellers' cheques would be a smart move.

Secondly, the flight....

Aircraft are generally non-smoking internationally so if you do smoke then bear in mind that smoking on a flight can lead to being fined and imprisoned.

An aircraft flying at 38,000 feet is pressurised but it's equivalent to being at about 6,000 feet above sea level which isn't too bad (unless you just been diving then it's really bad - don't do any scuba diving within 48 hours of leaving either end) but keep in mind that the humidity is really low - so travelling on a long haul flight can lead to dehydration so drink plenty of liquids, try to avoid the free alcohol (it's a diuretic and will make dehydration worse) and dare I say it you might consider eye drops, lip balm and a moisturising cream.

Generally, airline food isn't flash. If you are a vegetarian or have special dietary requirements you might want to contact the airline to make a special meal request.

Be conscious of quarantine requirements - generally don't take food from the aircraft off the plane or if you do dump in the amnesty bin before you get to customs. Remember also that some countries have laws that may result in capital punishment (ie execution) or long sentences in nasty places for the possession of controlled substances, have a nice day.

If you take any drugs including those over the counter you may want to check what you can take - different countries have different laws.

DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis is a potentially fatal condition that arises when after spending a long time in one position, clots form in veins a long way from the heart and then migrate thru the circulatory system to potentially fatal locations. Ways to reduce the risk include wearing stockings or compression garments (like athletic tights) on your lower legs, stay hydrated and stretching/exercising on the aircraft from time to time which brings me to...

CAT - Clear Air Turbulence. Sorry to worry you but having witnessed this you should be warned. Clear Air Turbulence can sometimes result in the aircraft changing altitude suddenly and without warning - I'd seriously recommend you wear the safety belt at all times on the plane even if the seatbelt light is off. Watching folk fly out of their seats and hit the overhead lockers and then fall onto the floors and seats of an aircraft was a good lesson to wear the belt.

I can tell you techniques for improving your chances of surviving an accident but I think that's perhaps what you might not wish to know right now...

Thirdly, when away from the US here's a few pointers...

• Not everyone in the world speaks english - speaking in a funny accent, slowly and loudly to someone as if they are disabled isn't clever or amusing and marks you possibly as an ignorant tourist...
• Wear something comfortable and worn... new clothes and shoes indicate someone with cash... not necessarily the right message...
• Not everyone likes the USA. By all means, I have no problems with you being proud of your country but may I suggest that you want to blend in as much as you can - avoid wearing US flags on your clothing and luggage and avoid attracting attention to yourself (also thieves and muggers target US folk as 'easy marks' as they assume you are more likely to be wealthy).
• Same goes for conversation - avoid discussions on politics, religion or faith. Some folks may take offence over what you may consider an innocuous remark and by the way, avoid conversations about the King of Thailand, he is revered and you can avoid problems by avoiding talking about him
• Courtesy is universal if you are courteous and considerate yourself. Thank you is generally understood everywhere.
• Trust no-one. By all means, be friendly and enjoy folks experience and company but keep your possessions in sight, don't carry on day pack on your back (in front of you is a good idea), keep maps and digital cameras out of sight and don't make the rookie mistake of having someone take a photo of you... well not if you want the camera back
• Consider a money belt, don't carry your wallet in your back pocket. Carry only enough money to get you need done for the day (which means if you are dusted or robbed you'll only lose that amount). Use the safe if you at a reputable hotel to store traveller's cheque and other valuables.
• Be aware. Listening to your IPod may be cool at home but I'd not use it while you are wandering around. If you see, hear (or conversely feel) what's happening around then trust your instincts if you feel something isn't right... mine have got me out of scrapes including the riots in LA in 1992...

I have spent most of my life travelling and loved just about every moment - keep safe and keep aware of your surroundings, listen to folk and you'll find it's the best education and amusement that you can have in life..

[ericn1300]

That's a long flight, get some noise canceling headphones. I've seen the Koss models on sale for under $30. As far as exchanging money, only exchange as much as you might need for tips and local transportation. For every thing else use your charge card, they get the "million dollar" exchange rate and pass it along to you saving you up to 20%. Never exchange money at the hotel desk, worse rates in town.

[elementskater15]

well...I wont be drinking and smoking, cause I'm 17. Will my bank card work over seas? It is a visa card...and US money is like gold in Thailand. I just hope there's not a baby next to me on the long flight..ugh.

[94SolGrl]

your bank card will work overseas, but I found it's never a bad idea to keep some US currency. When I was in Mexico I would usually have about US$50 or so on me (what I usually carry), and my bank card. I withdrew from a Mexican ATM a few times, and just used my card normally at restaurants, etc.

Same story when I went to Spain/Italy.