European Layovers
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: DAL FO
Posts: 2,142
All of the above. Important items in the shoe is a solid tip and a must. The more you follow habit patterns the less like you’ll screw something up in the fog of fatigue.
On arrival, I always set my 3 hour nap alarm and put it in the bathroom so I have to get up to turn it off. Otherwise it’s too tempting to keep smashing snooze for 5 more hours.
On arrival, I always set my 3 hour nap alarm and put it in the bathroom so I have to get up to turn it off. Otherwise it’s too tempting to keep smashing snooze for 5 more hours.
#12
"You have kids? Well my advice to you is never let your wife see you whistling when you're packing your bag to go to work."
----
A good way to use the layover is as a scouting trip for the time when you'll get to take your wife with you. The huge tourist traps can be ok, but there's plenty of less crowded places that are lovely.
----
Don't ride a bike in downtown AMS until you've ridden around the edges a few times. Seriously. It's extremely well designed for bike traffic, but not in a way that Americans are used to. Between foot traffic, bikes, autos, and extremely silent electric trains, you'd better know what you're doing.
-----
Many international destinations have much, much stricter flight crew alcohol prohibitions -and stricter penalties. Probably better to buy it and bring it back, if that's your thing. Your experience may vary; as a foreigner, you stick out, and you're under a higher level of scrutiny.
#14
Along those lines, if you're fortunate enough to fly with former Pan-Am flight attendants, you'll get a small sense of how it must have been in the "glory days" of airline flying.
#16
Ah don’t get me started. Flew with this one Pan Am guy out of NYC who, while about 100 years old, was like the maitre d at a 5 star restaurant. Classy as heck and made sure the pilots were well taken care of and checked on regularly. Didn’t take any gruff from the cat rancher club either. Must’ve been a heck of a time to be a pilot.
#17
Have wild crazy sex, preferably not by yourself, after you get to your hotel then sleep 3-4 hours. Have a really nice dinner but don’t drink too much alcohol. If you do it in reverse order and drink too much you won’t get enough sleep.
At least that’s what I’ve been told.
At least that’s what I’ve been told.
Originally Posted by crewdog
Along those lines, if you're fortunate enough to fly with former Pan-Am flight attendants, you'll get a small sense of how it must have been in the "glory days" of airline flying.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 208
I don’t mean to derail the thread, but how about Asia layovers for those going to SEA on a widebody for the first time? Someone here said they were easier on the body? I would love any insight into HND, ICN, PEK or anywhere else we go...
#19
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Posts: 35
You ultimately pay the price on the way home. Short breaks, red-eye body clock flying, early arrival back home… just in time to help mama with the babies! 21/24 hour 3 day trips (ICN/PVG) make it worth the effort.
#20
Personally I find going west is easier on my body. I’m no longer into the tourist thing on layovers. If I’m tired, I sleep. My MO is to try and time a 2-3 hour nap prior to show for the flight home from Asia. (Now this is based on the fact I get 2 or 3rd break) The flight home is typically an all night flight. ICN gets back at 8am currently.
Not much else to say. Destinations to Asia are pretty limited now. The only other one I can think of is DTW-NGO.
Denny
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post