Jetlag with Aust to US flights

[Dr Bob]

Could never get much sleep no matter how tired or what class I was flying. Then I discovered vallium. For every 5mg I have about 2 hrs good sleep. So dose is dependent on arrival time & no more jetlag. Yes return jetlag was always the worst but now I can arrive in Melbourne & have a safe 3hr drive home.

 

[JohnCarrWestwood]

Rather than take drugs.... I always carry Berocca and also No doz !!!! in case I hit the wall in the middle of the day but first step is to try to adjust to local time and if wintering in UK stay away from hot houses or pubs..Nothing sends me off more than a closed up hot house.

 

[SimonM]

I decided to test out the westward-no-jetlag theory one time on an Aust-USA trip. To get award flights I went BNE-MEL-SIN-LHR-JKF-LAX, with no stopovers.

I can assure you that BNE-LAX jetlag is much easier to cope with.

 

[ozziemuzza]

its best way is leaving at night ans with in 2 hours of take off sleep 8 hrs sleep and wake and be ready for departure.

your mate in perth
murray

 

[blueflamenco]

Rather than take drugs.... I always carry Berocca and also No doz !!!! in case I hit the wall in the middle of the day but first step is to try to adjust to local time and if wintering in UK stay away from hot houses or pubs..Nothing sends me off more than a closed up hot house.

Isn't No Doz a drug too (caffeine)?

And as for Berocca.. I went and bought a big pack a few months ago thinking it would be a good idea. Then I read the ingredients which include the controversial artificial sweetener aspartame. No thanks!

 

[neiljw]

I've flown the Melb LA route dozens of times, then a short flt to San Diego. I don't sleep very well on planes so on arrival to my hotel in the late afternoon, I would force myself to stay awake until say 9 or 10 PM by going out for dinner or a drive etc, then have a good nights sleep and wake up in the morning well adjusted to the time.

 

[simongr]

I don't really understand jetlag. Mostly I think it is a combination of a lack of sleep and timezone adjustments. Is there anything else?

Personally I "go with the flow" but aim to force a switch to local time even if that means a 9 pm bedtime...

 

[Logan^]

When I fly to the UK I always aim for a early morning arrival in LHR, my logic and sometimes it works is arrive early in the morning and then try and stay awake all day, go to bed at 9-10pm and then be sweet the next day.

Doesnt always seem to work, but have had more succes than failure.

Valium works well as well I find.

 

[Rayb]

You could also have a few drinks then fall asleep and when you wake you wont know if you have a hangover or you have jetlag, problem solved.

 

[dathoang]

As soon as the plane takes off, I just set my watch to the destination time zone and try to function by the watch time. It seems to work for me.

 

[Vix]

In June this year I am doing ADL-LAX on Virgin Blue/V Australia. First time I've flown on V Australia and am looking forward to it but.......
All my previous flights to the US have been on QF and generally I've arrived between 7.30 am and 11.30am.
I get off the flight, collect the hire car and enjoy the day, with an early dinner and early to bed.
Basically the body clock seems to accept this pretty well.
The V Australia flight leaves SYD at 8.30pm and arrives at 5.15pm, which means I sleep on the plane and then get to LAX in time to go to bed again!
I'm interseted to hear others thoughts on what effect these times have in regards to jetlag/body clock?
I'm trying to figure if I stay awake all night on the flight then sleep at the other end, but it worries me that I'd be over tired at the other end.
I have one day in LA before going to LAS for a conference, so I guess I should be ok, but it does worry me a little as far as the effect on my concentration span at the converence.

I travelled on this flight recently. Try to have something LIGHT to eat, maybe a drink (just one or two), watch a movie and then grab a couple of hours sleep. When you wake, you can watch another couple of movies and by the time you reach LA, it is almost time for dinner, then bed. Worked for me!!

 

[hotanddusty]

You could try flying up front using sky beds ans sleep your way across the world

 

[busissi]

No matter what the time arrival I am sure all the bugs that I have been holding off while away and busy say "Hurray, lets get her!" and with the thought of home descend.