Captain Lim Khoy Hing tells us how to make our flying experience more enjoyable.
Words: Captain Lim Khoy Hing
My first international flight was in 1967 on a British Eagle Britannia (a four-engine propeller plane) from Changi Airport in Singapore to Heathrow Airport in London. It transited through Colombo, Sharjah and Rome. I was 21 then and I can’t remember if it was a pleasant flight, but it was definitely an exciting one. I did not know what to expect on such a long-haul flight and accepted everything as part of the adventure. Today, having flown a total of 25,500 flight hours in the cockpit and many flights as a passenger, I believe I have enough experience to comfortably provide advice on how to make your flight as pleasant and as enjoyable as possible.
Photo from Corbis
CREATE A CHECK LIST
If you are a frequent traveller, it is advisable that you prepare a check list for a hassle-free journey, and the most important document on that list is your passport. In addition to having it on your person, don’t forget to check its validity. There have been cases where a businessman’s important trip was disrupted because he took his wife’s passport by accident, only to realise his mistake at the immigration counter! It is therefore important to ensure that you have your own document and it has a validity period of at least six months.
Below is a recommended packing check list:›
- Passport and visa – Ensure that it is yours and check its validity. Also ensure you have proper documentation to enter whichever country you are heading to.›
- Tickets – Keep your tickets in your hand luggage, note the web reference number and do an electronic check-in.›
- Hotel – Book it in advance and note the reference number.›
- Travel insurance – Buy it for the duration of the holiday.›
- Foreign currency – Exchange your money in various denominations including coins for taxis, tips and so on.›
- Luggage – Any liquids or gels in your hand luggage will need to be less than 100ml and packed in a clear plastic bag for inspection.›
- Magazines, books or e-books.›
- Cell phone, laptop and electronic device chargers, plus an international plug converter›.
- Relevant medication if you have any health issues, plus charcoal tablets just in case›
- Driving license and identification cards.
- Medical letter or note if you cannot go through a metal detector (for example, if you have a pace maker).
Photo from Getty Images
WHAT YOU CAN CARRY
You will also need to check the hand luggage regulation on your flight, for instance, whether you can carry one more bag in addition to a handbag or a laptop bag. The dimensions are important as some carriers have a size limit on what they will allow as hand luggage. Check the weight of your check-in luggage, as any excess weight will mean incurring excess charges. Don’t forget to write your name and address on a luggage tag in case your luggage should get lost. Another handy tip is to have something colourful or striking, like a bright-coloured ribbon, on your luggage handle, as this makes identifying your suitcase on the carousel much easier. Also remember not to pack your passport or money in your check-in luggage.
TIMELINESS
Always give yourself sufficient time to proceed through the various checkpoints at the airport. With security becoming more stringent, catching international flights at busy airports can be a long and arduous process. Rushing to the airport or being delayed by traffic jams can create unnecessary stress, so as a general rule of thumb, always leave for the airport at least three hours before your departure time.
BIN ALL EXCESS LIQUID
After the events of September 11, any liquids or gels exceeding 100ml are not permitted in the cabin and will be confiscated if they exceed the prescribed limit. Bin any excess liquids or gels before going through the security check point to save time.The security rules against laptops have also changed. Your laptop now must be removed from its bag during the security screening. Some random security checks may require you to switch on your laptop during the stringent inspection to ensure that it is in working condition and not being used as a front for any illegal activities.
ON THE PLANE
Ensure that your hand luggage is light enough for you to lift and place in the overhead compartment. Before stowing your bag, it would be a good idea to take out any items you might need during the flight, especially if your seat is by the window, as you may disturb other passengers if you are constantly moving in and out of your seat. If you have a smaller hand luggage, you should be able to fit it under the seat in front of you and still have enough legroom.
ENTERTAINMENT AND COMFORT
To keep yourself occupied, bring along reading materials, or portable game consoles or movie players. If you are travelling with kids, bring a portable DVD player or tablet to help keep boredom at bay. Do remember to bring headphones to avoid disturbing other passengers. Always ensure that your electrical devices are fully charged prior to your flight. Wear comfortable clothes on long-haul flights, and don’t forget to bring a light jacket as the cabin can get fairly cold sometimes. Also, moisturisers and eye drops come in handy as the air in the cabin can be dry.
INFLIGHT WI-FI
Previously, the usage of some personal electronic devices (PED) was not allowed during flights. However, many carriers now offer inflight Internet services for a fee. This allows passengers to stay connected for business or leisure while in the air. Travellers flying on business trips usually welcome the opportunity to stay productive during their flight. Although the connection may not be as fast as on the ground, the ability to tweet from 35,000 feet is a great advantage!
BRING A SLEEP KIT
I always carry my sleep kit with me whenever I fly, even on short trips. This consists of a U-shaped travel pillow and an eyeshade to block out the light. Remember not to over inflate the pillow as it will expand when the cabin altitude increases during the climb. Ear plugs will help you sleep better if you want to block out the engine noise or if there is an upset baby onboard who’s suffering from flying discomfort.
EXERCISE TO REDUCE DVT
It is not advisable to stay seated for long periods of time, especially on long-haul flights. Inflight magazines usually have a section for light exercises such as shoulder or knee lifts and foot pumps, which you can safely do on an airplane. It is also good to take a walk around the cabin during the cruising phase of the flight. Moving around the cabin and stretching is said to help prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a condition that occurs when blood clots in the deep veins, usually in the calf or thigh. DVT can be catastrophic if the clot ruptures and the blood travels to the heart, lungs and brain. The exact cause of DVT is unknown, but the risk of developing it increases with prolonged immobility and dehydration. There are other factors that aggravate DVT risks, such as hormone therapy, the use of contraceptive pills, pregnancy, smoking, post-surgery recovery, advanced cancer, obesity and other hereditary factors. To reduce the risk of DVT, avoid consuming caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, drink more water or fresh fruit juices to improve hydration, and wear support stockings, which are designed to improve blood flow in the legs. Some doctors recommend taking aspirin, however, the side effect to this is that it thins the blood.
ENJOY THE RIDE
No matter how comfortable you decide to make your flight, it is good to remember that the less stressed you are during the flight, the better you will feel when you arrive at your destination. Yes, you will enjoy the journey as part of a great adventure, just as I did when I flew my first international flight of over 10,800 kilometres! Have a pleasant flight!
Captain Lim Khoy Hing is a former AirAsia Airbus A320 and AirAsia X A330/A340 pilot who also used to fly the Boeing 777. He has logged a total of more than 25,500 flying hours and is now a Simulator Flight Instructor with AirAsia X. In his spare time, he shares his opinion on aviation issues with others. For more air travel and aviation stories, check out his website, ‘Just About Flying’ at www.askcaptainlim.com.
Capt. Lim’s first book, LIFE IN THE SKIES is now available for purchase onboard all AirAsia flights (AirAsia X, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia). It is also available at all major book stores in Malaysia and Singapore. Enjoy the great collection of articles, anecdotal stories and observations of this veteran aviator in this book.
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