Piloto Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 I occasionaly fly long distance flights FXE-TJIG (5+ hours) with my family. Beacuse the flight is over water and the Bahamas is impractical to make stop due to Customs hassle. On occasions I get coments like: How much more of this torture. Why don't you get a real fast plane with toilet. You told me four hours and is already 4+ hours, lier. I can not stand up. You better get me those expensive boots that I want. I don't want to do it in a bag!! Can we stop at McDonalds. I already saw the movie do you have other DVDs I am tired of Brazil 66 and the Tijuana Brass CDs. Don't you have other CDs Are we there yet or are we lost? Skipper (beagle dog) did a big one on the baggage carpet Grandma leak on the new seat again. She forgot the diapers, I told you This plane stings, who did it this time? I am not going back on this. Before the trip my wife asks me for a new wardrobe just to let me down with a cold flu the day of the trip. But next day she feel remorse and decide to go. Don't get me wrong, my best flights are with my family. Best times are when someone needs to go. I found the back reclining seats to be a big plus. Also flying above FL100 keeps them asleep for a while. Any suggestions or ideas to make long trips more enjoyable José Quote
jasong Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Quote: Piloto I occasionaly fly long distance flights FXE-TJIG (5+ hours) with my family. Beacuse the flight is over water and the Bahamas is impractical to make stop due to Customs hassle. On occasions I get coments like: How much more of this torture Why don't you get a real fast plane with toilet. You told me four hours and is already 4+ hours, lier I can not stand up. You better get me those expensive boots that I want. I don't want to do it in a bag!! Can we stop at McDonalds I already saw the movie do you have other DVDs I am tired of Brazil 66 and the Tijuana Brass CDs. Don't you have other CDs Are we there yet? Before the trip my wife asks me for a new wardrobe just to let me down with a cold flu the day of the trip. But next day she feel remorse and decide to go. Don't get me wrong, my best flights are with my family. Best times are when someone needs to go. I found the back reclining seats to be a big plus. Also flying above FL100 keeps them asleep for a while. Any suggestions or ideas to make long trips more enjoyable José Quote
John Pleisse Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Quote: Piloto (5+ hours) with my family. On occasions I get coments like: You better get me those expensive boots that I want. José Quote
KSMooniac Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 My dad used to make sure to climb above 10k in our C to make us in the back seat go quiet. Mom used to bribe us with new toys/games doled out every so often too. IMO kids are too spoiled today with personal DVD players and infinite quantities of games available to pass the time... Perhaps a tablet or laptop with MANY movies or tv shows ripped to the device would be beneficial. Do you have an intercom that can accept audio input from the entertainment devices and send it only to the back seat? An alternate solution are the headsets with their own audio inputs or adapters that do the same thing. Quote
rbridges Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 tell them that 5 hours to go to the Bahamas is infinitely better than 9+hrs in a Datsun to go to some desolate craphole in West Virginia like I had to do as a kid. Quote
jlunseth Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Sat radio is about the best I can do. A DVD on a laptop is going to be over before the 4 hours is up, and then everyone will need to go. Quote
flight2000 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Three hours is our max on any one leg, then it's a mandatory break from the whining because I have to go to the bathroom. Actually, my wife and youngest sons favorite activity in the plane is reading (I know they're wierd!!). My oldest sits up front with me and he actually pays attention to whats going on and will normally beat me to the radio for a frequency change. He's a pilot in the making (only 13 right now, but chomping at the bit to start training). Maybe go by yourself next time and send them a post card... Brian Quote
M016576 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Quote: Piloto I occasionaly fly long distance flights FXE-TJIG (5+ hours) with my family. Beacuse the flight is over water and the Bahamas is impractical to make stop due to Customs hassle. On occasions I get coments like: How much more of this torture Why don't you get a real fast plane with toilet. You told me four hours and is already 4+ hours, lier I can not stand up. You better get me those expensive boots that I want. I don't want to do it in a bag!! Can we stop at McDonalds I already saw the movie do you have other DVDs I am tired of Brazil 66 and the Tijuana Brass CDs. Don't you have other CDs Are we there yet? Before the trip my wife asks me for a new wardrobe just to let me down with a cold flu the day of the trip. But next day she feel remorse and decide to go. Don't get me wrong, my best flights are with my family. Best times are when someone needs to go. I found the back reclining seats to be a big plus. Also flying above FL100 keeps them asleep for a while. Any suggestions or ideas to make long trips more enjoyable José Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 I wish my parents flew when I was a kid. It would have beat that old piece o crap Buick that was always breaking down. I'm more than happy watching the earth fly by at 200+mph and maybe some Texas country playing in the background. Quote
KSMooniac Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Quote: Parker_Woodruff I wish my parents flew when I was a kid. It would have beat that old piece o crap Buick that was always breaking down. I'm more than happy watching the earth fly by at 200+mph and maybe some Texas country playing in the background. Quote
MooneyMitch Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 I have a suggestion on how to make your trip more enjoyable....................leave them all home!! [Just joking with you!] Quote
74657 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 We will see how our first long distance trip goes next week. The plan (weather providing) is to depart around 5am and fly until my wife needs to stop or the kids start fussing. My soon to be 3 year old is a champ, loves flying. My 1 year old is pretty good but our longest trip has only been an hour and a half. I have a feeling that Mom is going to be the one who wants to stop first. The trip from home to KISM is 5 hours and puts us over Athens, GA in 3 hours. I am planning a stop there for bathroom/change the kids out of their PJ's and into their Mickey Mouse attire. 2 hours later we should be in Orlando and an hour or so after that we should be at Disney. Fortunately for us my daughter is super excited about Mickey Mouse and Mom and I are a close second so complaining should be held to a minimum. Lets hope for no snow/icing or thunderstorms next Friday morning! My wife thinks that 5 hours in the Mooney is a long time. I tell her to add up the hours it takes to check in at the airport, go through security, wait for the delays, fly/change planes, fly, deplane, get your bags, get your rental car, deal with all of the other BS and its a MINIMUM 8 hour obligation. On IFR trip flying southeasterly I will need to file for 9 or 11K. I go 10,500 VFR when flying no problems, thoughts on the air 500' higher? Should I stay at 9? Quote
74657 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks Jim. I will look into KIIY. Quote
carusoam Posted November 9, 2011 Report Posted November 9, 2011 Fuel at 88J, allendale, sc $4.80... 1.5 hrs from KORL, for you mouse house visitors... I am a fan of 11,000 to 12,500 for NA planes, no O2, and lot's of time for plan B. the back seaters will be asleep unless they are actively using their entertainment. 3.5 hours is a long time in the back of any vehicle. I try to plan 2/3 of the trip, stop, 1/3 of the trip. Mentally a little softer than 50/50...? Best regards, -a- Quote
Hank Posted November 10, 2011 Report Posted November 10, 2011 I don't remember the identifier, but last summer I went to my family reunion near Athens. The FBO at Monroe Regional recommended refueling at Jefferson, GA, on the NE edge of Atlanta airspace. I was #2 at the pump, and two more arrived while I was fueling. None of us were based there. Prices were good, there was an air-conditioned trailer with a kitchenette, bathroom and lounge. Not 'primitive' by any means, but very deserted. My wife napped inside while I dealt with avgas, heat and humidity; this time of year it should be quite pleasant, especially for someone from Michigan. Anything 9000 and up should work nicely; if the winds are strong out of the west, go higher to avoid turbulence over E. Tenn/W. NC mountains. Quote
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