What to do on an 8 hour plane trip?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around activities and strategies for passing time during an 8-hour plane trip. Participants share various suggestions and personal experiences related to entertainment, relaxation, and preparation for long flights.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest reading books as a primary activity, with a preference for engaging stories to avoid tedium.
  • Others propose watching movies or utilizing in-flight entertainment systems, depending on available resources.
  • Several participants mention the importance of a positive mindset during flights, treating the journey as part of the overall trip.
  • Some ideas include playing video games, writing, or engaging in personal planning and journaling.
  • There are humorous suggestions about joining the "mile high club" or trying to fly the airplane.
  • Participants discuss the utility of e-readers like Kindles for carrying multiple books without the bulk.
  • Concerns about battery life for devices like laptops and iPods are raised, along with the potential for in-flight power outlets.
  • Some participants mention the social aspect of flights, including the possibility of conversation with fellow passengers.
  • There are comments on the practicality of bringing snacks and other comforts to enhance the flying experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for engaging activities during long flights, but there are multiple competing views on the best methods to pass the time. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective strategies.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on individual preferences and the specific conditions of the flight, such as available entertainment options and personal comfort items. There are also varying opinions on the practicality of certain activities, like knitting, based on airline regulations.

Who May Find This Useful

Travelers looking for ideas to occupy themselves during long flights, individuals interested in maximizing comfort and enjoyment while flying, and those seeking to share or learn from others' travel experiences.

  • #31
hamster143 said:
Ask yourself, what would you do if you were stuck on that plane for the rest of your life?
I always ask myself that when I'm on a plane. Will I be stuck on it for the rest of my short life?

I can't sleep either. I'll be flying to Aruba next month with my copy of Peskin & Shroeder, a notebook and a pencil.
 
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  • #32
Jimmy Snyder said:
I always ask myself that when I'm on a plane. Will I be stuck on it for the rest of my short life?

Obviously, you have to pray for a 70s style stewardess outfit.

Stewardess_Girl_Pictures_ABG.jpg
 
  • #33
Huckleberry said:
You should ask this question to the person next to you on your flight. Poke them in the shoulder and wake them up. Then play 20 questions. Listen to a lifetime of stories. People on airplanes always have stories. It beats burying your nose in a computer or book. You can do that any old time. You've got someone who can't run away for 8 hours. Muahahaha! Make a new friend. 8 hours won't seem long enough. And if they are anti-social then you can hog the armrest for the entire flight and apologize for it when the plane lands, or play musical chairs and find someone to talk to about the nasty person you were just sitting next to. People are the best part about traveling.

You're one of those people.
 
  • #34
TheStatutoryApe said:
You're one of those people.
So we meet again.:biggrin:

What are you reading?
 
  • #35
Huckleberry said:
What are you reading?
"How to assassinate your seat-mate with a rolled up newspaper."
 
  • #36
I hear knitting needles work quite well.
 
  • #37
Math Is Hard said:
I can't sleep on planes. My iPod only lasts a couple of hours. What other activities can I engage into keep from going crazy?

Take pictures from the plane. The most spectacular pictures can be taken just after start or just before landing, but pictures from high altitude can also be spectacular. E.g. I recently took some pictures of Greenland.

Use a polarization filter to remove reflections from the window.
 
  • #38
Read a Dover paperback book.
 
  • #39
Count Iblis said:
Take pictures from the plane. The most spectacular pictures can be taken just after start or just before landing, but pictures from high altitude can also be spectacular. E.g. I recently took some pictures of Greenland.

Use a polarization filter to remove reflections from the window.


Great idea. I've taken some great photos from a plane. :smile: And even had people pose for me. These are good instructions I use , How to Take Good Photos from an Airplane Window Seat or standing near a window. During a turbulent flight you may smack your face with the camera. :eek: There are eight steps and two warnings.

http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Good-Photos-from-an-Airplane-Window-Seat

MiH may enjoy that idea of Photography, considering Math and Photography go together.

http://www.lifelearningacademysf.org/pdf/curricula/5.3_AirCurricula_MathandPhotography.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #40
be thankful it is not a trans pacific flight.
 
  • #41
MathTwist said:
be thankful it is not a trans pacific flight.

Any flights from the Mainland (USA) to let's say the islands of Hawaii are considered a 'trans pacific flight'. On the westcoast it may take you less than 5 hours. Once you arrive there at this time of the year your clock has to be reset back in time. It may take you up to 8 hours if you fly from the USA to the islands, depending on where you are flying from, weather conditions, and time possibly spent transferring to another plane. :smile:
 
  • #42
what kind of an ipod only lasts a couple of hours?
 
  • #43
MIH's iPod?
 
  • #44
perhaps its a 'made in china'
 

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