The excitement that is flying

So now I’m sitting on the plane with about 2 hours to kill. I was up for a while and then passed out for a few hours and now I’m wired and bored. Hence the long posts.  Sorry. But here are some things that I’ve noticed on my first flight. If you’re EVER thinking of flying to China, you should keep a note of this:

1) Not all flight attendants speak English even when flying from an English speaking country to their country. So while you’re boarding even if you know that they’re saying, “Down the next aisle, please,” ask something in English like, “I have to go over there?” That way they’ll send an English speaking flight attendant down your aisle for food and drinks.  It’s impressive that the woman working my aisle would remember each time she walked by that I didn’t speak Mandarin.

2) You’ll hear that the doors are closing and realize that the flight is only half full so enjoy the extra space.  However, the seats recline way far back so if anyone is in front of you expect that they’ll lean back to the point where if you’re sitting upright, you can see their forehead when they recline.  You also might want to check to see that whoever is behind you isn’t eating or drinking anything because it sucks when you’re the reason their food ends up in their lap. And don’t be surprised if the flight attendant sits your seat up before she serves you food.  She’ll do it to the person in front of you too so everyone sits up while they eat.

3) They play the safety video twice, once in Mandarin and once in English. But they leave the volume so soft that no one can hear a thing it’s saying. Everyone talks over it.

4) The top of the plane will look like it’s not connected to the bottom of the plane while you’re taking off and landing.  The overhead cabins will wobble and you will fear that the plane is not well built.  Not to mention the irritating crackling that happens for the ascent as the plane acclimates to the change in temperature.  It sounds like sand and gravel being dropped into a tin can. It’s a bit scary.

5) Once we’re in the air and it’s pretty steady, no one waits for the seat belt sign to be turned off, they just get up whenever they want. And no one gets on the PA to tell them to sit down.  While landing, people stand up and try to get their bags while the plane is still taxi-ing.  Don’t be shocked if someone falls on your lap.

6) About an hour into the flight the captain (I think) will come on the PA and start talking in Mandarin.  Sometimes they’ll repeat it in English but not always. Just go with it.  The first announcement was something about the entertainment system.  I only know because the flight attendants bowed at the start of the row then walked down the aisle and shut all the windows.  No exceptions. Windows must be shut. Then the video screens came down and some show started to play.  When landing, someone talks on the PA, the flight attendants bow, and then they walk down the aisles lifting windows, picking up trash, and making sure everything is stowed.  It’s much more of an event than traveling within the US.

7) If anyone comes on to the PA listen carefully because if they do repeat anything in English, it will follow so closely that it doesn’t sound like English and you might miss an important announcement.

8) Remember when I told you to make it known you speak English? Yea it’ll come in handy for this next one.  But first, keep your passport, boarding pass, itinerary and a pen readily available at all times (like keep it in your pocket if possible) because you’ll need it, for the first half of the flight… frequently.  So it’s important to have a flight attendant know that you speak English because they’ll walk down the aisle and ask if you need a departure/arrival card. If your flight attendant speaks English you can ask for help. I find, “What is this?” to be a helpful question when answered. The card will ask you for information that is on your boarding pass and your passport. It’ll also ask you where you’re staying an all that good stuff. So have your stuff handy or you’ll be like me sifting through your carry on for it later (multiple times).  That arrival card will be what you will give to the people who are checking your passport before you get to the baggage claim.  SAVE THE DEPARTURE CARD WHEN THEY GIVE IT BACK TO YOU.  You’ll need it when you leave.

9) Once you’re in the air and they’ve come by with drinks and food, you’re pretty much on any other flight.  It’s just the start that sets you up for a wild adventure and the end that makes you feel like you’re stupid for not speaking their language.

10) If you look Asian, the passengers will speak to you in Mandarin and you will be confused.  If you look friendly, kids will speak to you in Mandarin, and you will be confused.  If you find that you’re sitting next to someone who speaks English, TALK TO THEM! Because they may be able to help you and you will no longer be confused.

So that’s been my adventure so far, it was only one flight! Next stop Shanghai airport.  Until then… Laters!