Can I have some tips for flying on an airplane?

Question

I am afraid that my ears will pop taking off and landing. Can someone give my tips how to avoid my ears popping?

Answer 1

Honestly, to sit on one feels a bit like sitting on a bus. Until it starts moving. And then it still feels a bit like a bus, except faster. You'll know when you get off the ground because all of a sudden you can tell there isn't any friction under the wheels; it's really smooth. You gain altitude fairly quickly and you'll be able to tell you're leaning back a little. If you're brave enough/lucky enough to have a window seat, look out! It's so amazing to see the ground dropping away. Cars and trees go from looking normal sized to little dots so quickly. It might be a little rough as you gain altitude, but to me it's exciting. You might pass through clouds-- they look just like fog. And then all of a sudden, you're above the clouds looking down on them. It's so awesome!

As far as the flight attendants and such go, they'll go through the emergency procedures before you take off. Point to the exits, show the oxygen masks, etc. Just like in movies. They make sure all the carry-on luggage is packed away in the overhead compartments, all purses and such underneath the seat in front of you, your seatbelts on properly, your seats locked in upright positions (seriously, just like the movies!). And then, depending on the airline, you usually get pretzels or peanuts and a drink during the flight.

The landings are what typically make people nervous, atleast the people I've talked to. It's one of my favorite parts though. The pilot will announce they're about to descend, so you know to expect it. If you look out the window, you'll see the ground get closer. They might tip the plane one way or the other in order to turn to the runway. The ground gets closer... but unlike the warning on mirrors "Objects Closer Than They Appear".... really the ground is still further away than you think! You might feel like you're about to run into a tree or something, but I promise, you aren't. The wheels will touch ground, and it may feel like you bounce into the air again. Once the wheels are on the ground, they put on the breaks, and you'll really feel yourself slowing down suddenly. Then they'll taxi around and let you off back into the terminal.

A few tips for your first time flying:

Take gum! Chew it during takeoff and landing. It'll help your ears from popping so badly. I've never had too much problem, but some people do.

Don't carry much with you. You probably won't use half of it, and it makes it easier to get on and off. (And come through security, for that matter.) I usually take a book and a jacket and an I-pod, although some planes have Sirius radio built into the armrests and supply you with headphones. Some people like to carry a change of clothes with them incase their luggage gets lost, but unless you have a lot of layovers I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had them lose my luggage, and lots of times when they DO lose luggage, they end up sending it to you by taxi.

Wear slip on shoes. Really, that's more for security reasons. Lots of airports require you to take your shoes off anyways, so the easier you can make it on yourself, the better.

And lastly.... this is really important.... ENJOY YOURSELF! Some people don't like flying, or do it so much it's nothing special, but it's really one of my favorite things in the world. It never gets old. Like I said, seeing the world drop away like that... it's just amazing. I have a photograph I took over the wing... you can see to the end of the world, really! The horizon line is way off in the distance, you can actually see the curve of Earth. And the sky is such a clear dark blue. Absolutely Stunning. That was just a little sumthin...




NOW TO THE QUESTION U ASKED:

I listen to some music from a C.d. player, Ipod, Mp3 players .. etc. This way, you'll be concentrating on your favorite songs and lip synching it versus thinking about the flight itself. Ok. So peeoples ears pop all the time! I suggest buying gum at the termanol, that way u cant forget or lose it. All u have to do is chew gum when u get on, and went u land. That is the pressure point...GoOd LuCk!!!

Answer 2

I have to fly a lot and I always have that happen to me.
The first time it happened. it was so bad that I never wanted to fly again. It felt like my ears were filled with cotton, and no matter what I did I could not relieve the pressure. I walked around for about a week feeling like I had the worst ear infection in the world. Then I learned a tricked from a veteran flier. Hold your nose, close your mouth and blow really hard, and I mean as hard as you can. Don't let any air out. You will find that the pressure in your will equalize instantly. There are many other ways, (I tried about 20) but the above is the only one that has ever worked.

Please don't forget this tip. Maybe write it down and throw it in your bag.

Have a fun trip. And bring some antacid if you plan to eat on the flight. Everything people say about airplane food is TRUE. I have flown over 50 times now, and the only time I had a GREAT meal was on an Italian airline.

Answer 3

You're ears will feel a pop. But it's ok... If you feel the pressure, just yawn - gum is not neccessary to prevent the popping. But it might help you from feeling sick. The popping is the same feelings as if you got water in your ears when diving deep in the pool or the feeling when you drive over a mountain. As far as I've ever heard, nobody has ever lost their hearing from flying. Don't be afraid.

I'm flying tomorrow.. so, maybe you can imagine popping we're both popping out ears.

If you do feel sick, conrol the air blowing on you to your comfort. I find that mroe oxygen, so breathing, helps me to relax.

Also, if your tall, try to get to the airport early and ask for an exit row seat. The leg room there is better... if yuor average height, it doesn't seem like it would be such an issue.

Don't say bomb in the airport.. or make any jokes about terrorists.. security goes pretty crazy about that... adn it might cause you to be delayed - if not more problems.

Think ahread about which side of the airplane might have the best view..and consider the angle of the sun... you'll have to make this change already..but they might be able to move you if you want and they have avialble seating.

After take-off and the seat-belt light is out, you can find a new seat if you have a problem with yours.. ask the flight attendant for help... if there is one avialable, she will tell you.

Last tip: Don't try to remmber all these tips... it'll be more of a headache trying to remember them... just have fun. I like airports.. people are more intereting to watch there than most places... going here and there.. from here and there. Business people, atheletes, students.. foreigners.. hmm.. sounds like downtown San Diego come to think of it.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, your ears will pop. It's inevitable just because of the pressure changes that occurr at high altitude. They best thing you can do is make sure you know how to pop your ears yourself so that you don't experience any pain or discomfort.

Yawning always works for me. However, if that doesn't work for you, another good thing is to find something chewy. Something like starburst or some chewing gum can help you make that same motion with your jaw that helps popping you ears.

Answer 5

Your ears pop because the pressure in the plane falls out of sync with the pressure inside the ear. When this happens, take a drink of water (or soda, or anything else). The swallowing motion will make the pressure equal again, and your ears will no longer feel "popped".

Yawning will also fix it, but not many people can yawn on command.

Answer 6

i've been on more than one airplane and found that chewing gum does help a lot. take "big chews" (dont know what to call that) and it should help ease the ears popping sensation. also, try and enjoy the ride: dont stress, look at the views: its amazing!! drink fluids, and dont eat the crackers lol

Answer 7

Yawning usually helps.. And chew gum the whole time. Works for me.. There is more to worry about.. Like takeoff and landing and turbulance is the worse.. But remember the pilot wants to live too.. They are good..

Answer 8

1)Go to the bathroom right before boarding. (I don't know you but i think it's the pressure that makes me go to the bathroom several times when flying on a plane.)

2) Don't clap when the plane lands (it's ridiculous i think unless you really feel like it then enjoy!)

3) Don't stand up as soon as the plane gets to the gate ( anyways you have to wait until they open the door and you just cause jams)

Answer 9

Chewing gum works the best. You can also try drinking water. Take small sips of it while taking off and landing. I prefer the gum. Nothing sweet though. Mint gum is better. Its easier on your stomach.

Answer 10

Use chewing gum , or move your jaw around, or plug your nose and blow out hard with your mouth closed. The pressure created will equalize the pressure in your ears.