I book a lot of flights (for other people) on Expedia Corporate Travel, and you get to pick your exact seat when booking. I wish I could use it for my personal flying. Not sure how widespread pick-your-seat booking is for non-business travel, but it seems to be heading in that direction.
I can't have alcohol on flights because it will make me desperately want a cigarette. It could even cloud my judgement enough to do something retarded like light up in the restroom (probably not, but I'm not risking it). Anthony Bourdain said that airlines should offer rubber dog chew toys to smokers during the last hour of a long flight. I couldn't agree more. :-)
I think always get to pick my seat. Maybe that's just the airlines I've been using.
I love sitting as close to the front as possible. It matters more than almost anything else, although I also strongly prefer window. But front usually means not too far from restrooms, not too much noise, faster serving of food or snack, and best of all MUCH quicker boarding and exiting. It's the only way to fly.
Gotta go with Chris on CranApple when available. Unless I'm nauseous, in which case def. ginger ale. If I'm not thirsty I'll take bottled water or juice (not soda) and squirrel it away, assuming they'll give me the unopened bottle/can.
RE window vs aisle: are you flying during the day or at night? If you are flying at night then get an aisle seat. You won't be able to see anything much anyway, and bathroom access is enhanced. Then again, you'll have somone climbing over you if you take the aisle seat, so you might want the window if you are travelling alone.
I have heard the rumor that the kosher meals are better than the regular meals. I have no personal experience to back this up though.
Avoid alcohol, as it will dry you out, and flights are dry enough. I always ask for cranberry juice with a slice of lime.
One of my guilty pleasures is that I always order ginger ale when I'm flying. I like the sound of it bubbling when I pour the can in a cup. Also, immediately thereafer, I put the cup close to my nose since the effervescence is just right to tickle my nose.
I actually went downstairs to get a ginger ale because of this thread. But they only had bottles, not cans, and I realize that the cracking open of the can is part of the craving. Will have to go across the street, where I know they have it in cans. :-)
On one of my flights to Tokyo I had a whole row of 3 seats to myself, and it was wonderful to have that window seat wall to lean on. If the row is full though, I prefer aisle because I'd rather be crawled over than do the crawling.
Ginger ale versus water totally depends on mood. Exit row requested when traveling with long-legged companions. Am always conflicted about ordering veggie or non-veggie meals, but tend to bring back up in the form of snacks. If meal is only available for purchase on the plane, will usually buy in airport before boarding. Will try to sit as far frontward as possible, but the first row row is a conflicting situation: I strongly prefer underseat to overhead storage (when possible) but I do like being assured that no one will recline the back of the seat in front of me. If choosing a seat in the airport before the flight, I aim for empty rows with no one in the seat in front of me. Tend to let travel companions with stronger opinions call the shots. Am lucky to drink slowly, have short legs, and fall asleep easily.
Also do not believe in using complete sentences, apparently. V. worried about turning into Bridget Jones after lunch. Must seek help.
I hate travel in general, but I hate flying even more than I hate travel. I always hated flying -- it scares me -- but I hate flying even more now that they have all the fucking stupid "security" things. I avoid flying as much as I can avoid it, because I hate airports, I hate airplanes, I hate flying, and I hate travel.
That said, since I'm going to be approximately equally miserable anywhere in the plane, it doesn't matter to me. I'm short; there are no seats in the plane with too little legroom for me. I take whatever seats are available, because we fly Southwest, and you take whatever seats are around.
The only place I'm required to go is Florida, for family things. I hate Florida, too. But I really love and like my in-laws, so it's worth it.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:12 pm (UTC)On the drinks I usually either go for Mountain Dew (if available) or Cranberry juice (again if available)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:27 pm (UTC)I can't have alcohol on flights because it will make me desperately want a cigarette. It could even cloud my judgement enough to do something retarded like light up in the restroom (probably not, but I'm not risking it). Anthony Bourdain said that airlines should offer rubber dog chew toys to smokers during the last hour of a long flight. I couldn't agree more. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 05:03 pm (UTC)I love sitting as close to the front as possible. It matters more than almost anything else, although I also strongly prefer window. But front usually means not too far from restrooms, not too much noise, faster serving of food or snack, and best of all MUCH quicker boarding and exiting. It's the only way to fly.
Gotta go with Chris on CranApple when available. Unless I'm nauseous, in which case def. ginger ale. If I'm not thirsty I'll take bottled water or juice (not soda) and squirrel it away, assuming they'll give me the unopened bottle/can.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 05:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:10 pm (UTC)I have heard the rumor that the kosher meals are better than the regular meals. I have no personal experience to back this up though.
Avoid alcohol, as it will dry you out, and flights are dry enough. I always ask for cranberry juice with a slice of lime.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 06:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 05:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:12 pm (UTC)Tough call for me, these days. I could go either way.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 05:27 pm (UTC)Also do not believe in using complete sentences, apparently. V. worried about turning into Bridget Jones after lunch. Must seek help.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 05:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 05:49 pm (UTC)I've also heard that the gluten-free meal tends to be better, and mean to test that theory, but haven't actually bothered yet.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 06:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 07:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 07:30 pm (UTC)I hate travel in general, but I hate flying even more than I hate travel. I always hated flying -- it scares me -- but I hate flying even more now that they have all the fucking stupid "security" things. I avoid flying as much as I can avoid it, because I hate airports, I hate airplanes, I hate flying, and I hate travel.
That said, since I'm going to be approximately equally miserable anywhere in the plane, it doesn't matter to me. I'm short; there are no seats in the plane with too little legroom for me. I take whatever seats are available, because we fly Southwest, and you take whatever seats are around.
The only place I'm required to go is Florida, for family things. I hate Florida, too. But I really love and like my in-laws, so it's worth it.
Hate:
Airplanes
Airlines
Airports
Flying
Security
Travel
Florida
Like:
Certain pepople who live in Florida.
Like > Hate; = Travel.
I've never had a meal on an airplane. I drink when we get free drink coupons, and usually straight liquor or liquor-and-mixer.
And I drink Dr Pepper or Bloody Mary mix.