Hopefully I will be on a flight to RSA this coming Sunday. I am sure I will be on a SAA cattle car. I have read where you guys talk about how uncomfortable it is. Is it hot on the plane, and should I wear shorts to be more comfortable, or are pants the way to go? I know this is a stupid question, but I flew to NZ last year and know how long a ride that is. If it is really hot on the plane, I would rather wear shorts to try to stay somewhat comfortable.

BTW...I have read this board almost daily for 6 months in prep for my trip, though I don't have anything useful to post as I have never been to Africa. I really appreciate everyone sharing their advice and experiences. It has been helpful and very entertaining for a 1st timer...

Tim, I was not hot but if plane is loaded there is not much room...Try for a window seat where there are only 2 seats... Loose fitting and comfortable clothes...get a pair of those slip on hospital socks and take off your shoes and let your feet relax...Drink plenty of water...and always take an extra bottle if you get up to walk around...Grab a pillow or two and even a blanket for night sleeping...If you take a ambien sleeping pill will give you some rest but next day do not take a nap but stay up and them go to bed early 9pm and get another night sleep 1/2 ambien and you will be right on track no jet lag...

Have a super trip and welcome aboard the forum..

Mike

wear shorts you can always change in the bathroom put a pair of pant in your carry on or wear a pair of tear aways.

you can always cover your legs with a blanket if you get cold........or sip some wine

I found that the air flow was not so good in coach and I was very warm on more than one occasion on the trip over and back. I was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, so shorts and a short-sleeve shirt may have been more comfortable. No doubt business class has better climate control.

I've flown my share of long flights all my life. (India, Japan, Isreal, Europe) The SAA flight to Johanesburg isn't that bad. If you really want screaming babies, dirty diapers, unruly passengers, try flying Air India this Christmas. SAA did have the rudest flight attendants I've ever seen. I just got back from my first hunt over there, and the flight wasn't nearly as bad as some people made it out to be. Plane was clean, served cold beer, and got me to Johanesburg quicker than KLM

For me it was 17 hours of adrenaline pumping all over my free scotch blood stream.....I couldn't sleep being so pumped up and the free scotch (J&B) didn't help either.....wait till the ride home!!! That's the hard one...

I hope you have as much fun as I did.

Bring a full size pillow, stuff it in your carry on luggage when leaving the plane.

If you ever fly Air China to Beijing, use the rest room at the beginning of the flight because they become so gnarly as to be unusable from mid-flight on.

So with the service and flight attendants so bad, can you actually get them to bring you enough cocktails to "help you sleep" or at least quench your thirst? I had considered taking a flask of my own...

Thanks to all for the advice.

I always wear shorts, and I take sweat pants in my carry on. Pants with zip off legs are good too. As far as cocktails, I prefer to get up and walk around every couple of hours, so if i want a cocktail, I get one while I'm up.

Walk, stretch. drink plenty of water, no alcohol. Bring one of those neck pillows. It's not much fun but when I got to ATL I would have jumped right back on that airbus if I could have extened my trip for another day. The time you spend on your hunt makes every hour on that plane worth it.

The flight was hot and over crowded and the staff were anything but friendly but it was all well worth it. Pieter and his staff will take good care of you.

Dont forget to brush your teeth and change socks mid-way there. (They supply both).

Those two small things can make you feel soooo much better.

And be ready to watch a lot of movies!

Tim,

You definately don't want to appear drunk to the flight attendants, they'll cut you off. Pace yourself on a long flight like that and try not to use the same person everytime you order a drink. Ambien is the best way to fly. Skip the flask, get a prescription and wake up on your descent into Johanesburg.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
If you ever fly Air China to Beijing, use the rest room at the beginning of the flight because they become so gnarly as to be unusable from mid-flight on.

500,

Us frequent travelers to the Western Pacific Rim have a saying. " NEVER fly on any airline with China in it's name".

There is also a similar saying about planes with Korea in the name.

-Steve

Flights to Africa are a snapp! If you want something that is uncomfortable Try flying all the way from California to Korea in a C124 Globe master,prop driven, Troop carrier, bouncing from Island to Island, stopping for fuel. All that and your going some place you don't want to go, and your rifle is an M-1 Garrand ! No problem getting it aboard, however.

I have done that but in a C141 with a M16. My plane did not land, we had to jump out the door. Thats bad airline service

All airlines suggest long pants and long sleeve shirts plus closed toe shoes. You might ask that question to those who needed to exit in a hurry from the Air Bus in Canada this week.
Forget the booze and drink more water than ever.
Take the horseshoe neck pillow as suggested.
Water prevents muscle soreness, dehydration and jet lag...the fact that you will need to make a run to the head every thirty mins. will prevent blood clots in your legs.
Make damn sure you know where the nearest exit is!

Nothing compares with flying a C130 from Florida to California with only 3 engines and the landing gear down. Not to mention someone else's knee in my crotch the whole trip. And the box lunch was a joke. Best of all, next stop, Viet Nam.

So, the airbus from Atlanta to Joberg was a walk in the park!

I flew SAA this April and didn't think it was nearly as bad as people made it sound, however I would suggest taking 4 Ambien. These are a fast onset and short duration sleeping pill. I only took 2 tablets, 1 for the flight over and 1 back. They do not last near long enough. Next time I will have 4 tablets!!Good luck. Joe

You guys need to be very careful about mixing the sleeping pills with the booze.You might wake up in heaven instead of Joberg.

quote:

Originally posted by eyedoc:
You guys need to be very careful about mixing the sleeping pills with the booze.You might wake up in HEAVEN instead of Joberg.

I agree with you Doc, but I think I might wake up at a different airport!

500 grain,

you nailed that one on the head!! But I will admit that the food served was at least identifiable & those tiny petite stewardesses are adorable.

Steve,
Words that end in Korea = unidentifiable chow & cranky flight attendants that are built like linebackers & smell like kimchi.

Domestic flights on MAAT (Mongolian Air) are certainly a trip!! They pack every seat, then fill the aisles with screaming babies, goats & then stop off in the middle of nowhere so everyone including the flight staff can fill containers with blue berries!! We must have picked up a ton in weight at the blueberry patch. Plus the wonderful construction of Russian airplanes where the seats are all laid back & your head is between somebodies knees...

It is either just part of an adventure to be enjoyed or a guy better just stay at home.

Mike