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A few tips to those of you travelling to Amsterdam from outside Europe, e.g. USA, who have never done flights of more than an hour or two - or have never flown before. Do remember to take your Passport - You would not believe the number of people who remember to take their tickets and luggage to the Airport but forget their Passport !! Only store valuable hand luggage like cameras, camcorders etc in the overhead locker above your seat - the folk sitting in the seats beneath the overhead lockers in front of you may not all be honest !! "If it dont go in a pocket - pack it !! " If you smoke cigarettes, nicotine chewing gum - the stuff thats sold to help people give up tobacco - can help the "no smoking" torment. Forget smoking in the toilets, they are all fitted with smoke alarms connected to the Pilots cabin.
Lots of airlines offer free Alcohol- my advice is dont drink any alcohol during the flight. Aircraft cabins have 25% less oxygen than you are used to - Alcohol has twice the effect, i.e. one drink has the power of two. A major cause of "Air Rage". Secondly, it de-hydrates, adding to the oxygen problem & jet-lag symptoms, and you will arrive in Amsterdam, (or home), feeling like shit. Guaranteed. Please also remember that if you are obviously drunk you will not be allowed to board your flight - Usual cause: Flight delay spent in bar or an alcoholic drink after taking travel sickness tablets !! Drink water or fruit juice - Fizzy drinks make you feel bloated. ONE glass of wine with a meal may also be beneficial. (per flight, not per meal !!!) Do eat. On many long haul flights to & from Amsterdam not eating during the flight may be viewed with suspicion by cabin staff - who are trained to look out for this - and you may well be stopped by Customs on arrival to check you out for "stomach smuggling" Cocaine/Heroin. However, dont stuff yourself because its there, and avoid heavy things like steak - a lot of oxygen goes into digestion, - so heavy eating can lead to you passing out when you stand up. Dealing with "Jet Lag": "Jet Lag" affects some people more than others. One way of trying to beat it is to set your watch to Amsterdam time as soon as you get on the plane - see "Arrival" for info on World/Amsterdam time - and try to sleep according to your watch. Don`t "cane it" on arrival - take it easy - Amsterdam is still going to be there tomorrow. Have a shower and something sensible to eat (if possible) before hitting the streets. When you sleep is between you & your body - mine usually lets me get through to the next (local) night. Exercise: As many of you will be travelling "Cattle Class"- also known as "Economy" or "Standard"- where the seats are small and cramped and the cutlery always plastic - as sometimes is the food - it is essential you walk around a bit - if only to the toilet - for your healths sake. Get an Aisle seat if possible, pre-book or check in early to make sure of getting this. Wear loose clothing - but dont take your shoes off during the flight - you may have problems getting them on again as feet swell due to cabin pressurisation. I am not going to into Deep Vein Thrombosis risk here, ask your Doctor if you have any concerns.
 
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