THE new york trip

[Immi666]

is this friday and i am absolutely terrified.  anyone got any last minute advice?  things i need to double check?  ideas and suggestions? calming words that will stop me bouncing off the damn walls?

[Clanad]

Well... it's finally going to happen!  Let's see... go to the bathroom before boarding the aircraft... keep in mind, if the flight isn't full you can change seats to a better one after departure (just don't go to First Class).  Airline coffee is usually pretty good stuff, but figure out which bathroom is closest to your seat.  There's absolutely nothing to look at outside of the aircraft so take a supply of your own reading material... the magazines on the aircraft are older than Methuselah! Get up and walk around as often as you can...Good for the deep veins in the legs.

Don't forget to set your watch to NY time before getting there.  It's going to be 5 hours later than London.  Daylight savings time starts the last Saturday night of October... set your watch 1 hour back.  Welcome to the U.S.!

[Immi666]

five hours later or five hours behind?  if u mean five hours behind then i'm good, cos that's what i figured.

[jno]

when it's noon in London it's 7am in NY... at least at the moment; clocks go back in London in a couple of weeks, and I'm not sure when it happens in the USA. Check the time here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

And check in at the airport in plenty of time (two hours before take-off is usually required, but more than that never hurts). On some airlines (BA for instance) you can request your seats online, and even check in online; do so if you can, then you can leave home later.

[vehelpfulguy]

You do not say what you are terrified about, the flight, or the whole trip, or something else.

Remember that every day thousands of people take long haul flights to places all over the world.

Ensure your passport is not out of date, and you have tickets, money and travellers cheques. Also any credit cards you need.

The checking in at the airport can be a bit stressful, allow plenty of time at the airport because of security checks.

It can be a drag when you get airport in New York because of the delay getting through customs and security.

The flight is generally boring so take an mp3 player to listen to music on the plane, or something to read.

For safety in New York just do as you would in any major city, do not carry too much money, walk in dodgy areas at night and so on.

But after all that I have to say that New York is a wonderful city, with so much to do. It never sleeps. 

[blueeyedlass]

you will have a great time the only thing id say is definately get the weekly pass for the subway, always have some water when you are underground ( bloomin sweltering) and mind your feet , my feet ended up cut and blistered and thats in trainers my feet have never ached so much in my life, oh and another tip if you are planning on seeing a broadway show go to the tkt booth in times square but instead of going in the afternoon when it opens wait until the show is nearly starting you wont have to queue at all.

[Immi666]

thanks for the advice guys.  all stuff i knew before.  i'm getting to the airport four hours before the flight leaves.  i dont mind waiting for ages, but i wanna try and get a seat with extra leg room cos i'm very tall. 

i'll have my mp3 player, empire mag, bizarre mag and a harry potter book on the plane.  think that will keep me busy?

as for being terrified - the flight itself doesnt bother me.  the airport freaks me out a little, but if i just follow the signs and other people it should be ok.  and i can always ask someone.

i'm pretty freaked about the whole trip.  just the experience.  i'm really excited, this is something i've dreamed about my whole life. but its also the biggest thing i've ever done.  i suffer from depression and i've been ok recently but there's this constant nagging in the bag of my head that tells me i cant cope.  "what if something goes wrong?  u wont be able to cope.  ur three thousand miles away from home and everyone you know."  i try and ignore the voice, but when i'm tired or miserable it always gets louder.

i know i'll be ok, and that i'll have a whale of a time, but there's still that fear.  it's kinda like a good terrified tho, if u know what i mean. 

i'll stop rambling now.

[pega]

Have a great time its a grand place just keep your nerve and everyone is helpful, I've been seven times on my own and never any problems.before my first time people try to put me off can't go there on your own they said and I wondered what it would be like. its busy but great all the sights and sounds.

[jno]

you'll have a great time (though I gather the place is under water now after some seriously heavy rain all last week). Things are generally cheaper in NY than UK so if you have something you particularly want to buy, try hunting for NY retailers on the internet first so you'll have an idea of prices and addresses. Can I just repeat what I said about checking in online if possible - may give you a better chance of getting some legroom. (I know all about flying for 8 hours with my knees under my nose.)