How to Survive a Really Long Plane Flight

1) Give up your comfortable aisle seat to the nice old woman who had the middle and asks you to switch. And then watch as she trades it to some punk kid who was sitting next to her husband. Resent him for the entire 14 hours.

2) Chose your ‘entertainment’ based on what you think you will get the most of out given the experience you are about to have, i.e. start “The Story of India” and/or Ghandi, but then get distracted by the people in front of you who are watching The Devil Wears Prada and Confessions of a Shopaholic. Compromise and turn on an old classis that is still directly related to what you are doing and watch “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Fall asleep half way through.

3) You might have heard that sitting for that long in one position is bad for you. Don’t believe it. Only get up when absolutely necessary. If you’re legs feel a little funny as you’re walking off the plane, consider it part of the experience.

4) Sit directly in front of a toddler, yes the one who is singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and sounding adorable. As soon as the plane takes off, she will change from the cute little singing child to the monster crying child whose wails wake up all of the other babies on the plane.

5) It’s a good thing you brought all of that work with you on the this flight. All of those books you were going to read. Don’t touch any of them except for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Of course you could have packed it in your checked luggage and not have to have carried it around with you all day, but really it just makes you stronger, so get over it.

6) Spend the entire time thinking about all of the things you haven’t done, or should have done, or could have done better. It’s super productive and great for your self esteem.