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THIS GUY.
We would all love to be this guy.
But flying for most of us is more bobble-head sleeping techniques and plastic cutlery than padded recliners and on-demand meals. I won’t bore you with all the gruesome details, but I recently suffered through a (reasonably) long-haul flight where I was seated almost exactly in the middle of the plane – middle seat in the middle aisle in the middle cabin – (disaster!), the miniature, personal TV didn’t work (catastrophe!) and my next door neighbour was a gabby 86-year-old New Yorker who had just come off a cruise (nuclear meltdown!).
And I wasn’t prepared. At all. After I flicked through the on-board magazine for the fifth time, the pilot gracefully dropped us at our destination.
Never again, I said. And I’ve done my research since so the next time I board an aircraft I’m going to be ready for all possibilities.
Location, location, location
You can never start preparing too early…and it all starts with picking the right seat. Although a small fee is usually incurred now (thanks Michael O’Leary) for the choice, it can be worth it. To make sure you get value for your money, check out SeatGuru. The TripAdvisor app allows users to study seat maps for specific planes (and flights) to figure out if there is a power source, reclining seats, extra leg room or if the seats are in any way inconvenient, being too near the toilets and their accompanying smells for example. Its colour-coded system identifies superior and substandard locations in the cabin.
Liquidity problems
We’ve all added to this pile, right?
(Image: Robert F Bukaty/AP/Press Association Images)
Liquid restrictions for hand luggage have been in place for years now but some of us still think its an unnecessary evil and those ziplocs a waste of time and money. But it’s worth purchasing the €1 bags at the airport and placing your items in there to ensure you don’t lose that €70 bottle of perfume or have to go without brushing your teeth for the entire flight (remember, you need to be a considerate neighbour too).
Even better, why not have everything ready to go before you get there like our hero Amy Dianna here?
However, some airports require specific plastic bags bought on-site and do not allow freezer bags from the kitchen drawer so check before you travel.
Menu pages
Airplane food is notoriously average – it’s all part and parcel of travelling, the slight inconvenience before a holiday full of lavish meals. But if the gruel-like substances really turn your stomach, there are ways around it.
Most airlines offer specialist options at time of booking and because they have to prepare these dinners separately, they are often of better quality. So even if you’re not a veggie or not allergic to certain things, opt for the special option anyway as it’s usually better than the standard fare – and it comes first.
Try to avoid excess alcohol or caffeinated drinks while in the air and if you’re trying to eat healthily, consider bringing your own food on board.
Too posh to push?
Airplane seats recline for a reason so don’t feel bad about gently squeezing that lever and leaning back but there is a time and a place. Make sure you bring the seat back up for meal times and afterwards, check that the passenger behind you has finished eating and given the tray back. No need to make enemies who you’ll later have to see while queuing for passport control, luggage and taxis.
For extra comfort – particularly on really long flights – invest in a travel pillow to avoid that head-bobbing motion.
Avoid cankles
You know, when you can’t tell the difference between your calf and ankle because your leg is swollen? There are three simple solutions for this. First, wear a pair of flight socks. Yes, they are unattractive but, really, are we really going to impress anyone on a 747?
Secondly, pay attention to the in-flight exercise video. A few stretches will keep your body fit, your blood circulating properly and reduce fatigue.
Finally, move around a bit. About half-way through the flight, take a few strolls up and down the aisle and there should be room down the back of the plane for some simple exercises. Advanced fliers can try and time this with their toilet break for extra stream-lined flying.
(Image: Ian Nicholson/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Other bodily issues can occur because of the dry air so drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Drops are a handy item to carry on to refresh your eyes if they get dry, while lip balm is essential to avoid crusty lips. All travel size, obviously.
Let me, entertain me
It's a fine line...bringing too much stuff which will cramp your leg room and being bored, in need of stimulation. The in-flight entertainment systems are getting increasingly unreliable so ensure you include something that can keep you busy in your hand luggage. And bring your own head phones too - the ones provided are more-often-than-not dodgy.
If you don't own an electronic reader, try to carry only paperpacks that will fit neatly in the pouch in front of you. Alternatively, have material downloaded to a tablet or smartphone. For example, TheJournal.ie's app allows you to download a number of stories which you can save for later. Not a reader? Try video games, magazines (if ever there is an excuse for gossip magazines, it's a long-haul flight) or good old-fashioned puzzle books.
Take everything you may need from your bag before putting it in the overhead compartment to lessen the amount of rummaging. And if you do a little of everything - read, sleep, watch movies, listen to music and chat (a little) if invited to by the traveller next to you.
It could get worse
If Icelandic volcanoes have taught us anything, it's that flight schedules often don't go to plan. So prepare for that dreaded delay. This guy didn't and look how he ended up:
Make sure you have some cash in the currencies of both your departure and arrival countries as you could be delayed either side. Also ensure you bring appropriate clothing for either side - and for all levels of air conditioning. Layering, as always, is key for both convenient packing and personal comfort. A fully-charged mobile phone is also an essential.
Five items to invest in before a long-haul flight:
One last thing - take off your watch before boarding. If you're not counting down the seconds, it won't seem as long.
Now all you have to do is beat the jet-lag. Happy flying!
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This ‘banned list’ thing is rubbish, all dogs no matter which breed has the potential to attack – when are we going to learn it’s how they are treated & brought up. Surely if there were concerns that this dog was dangerous (no matter what breed) it should not have been returned to be allowed to roam free.
Obviously that dog knew nothing but violence and misery. His owner is the murderer. B@$tard.
Problem is there are too many of these dangerous terrier-type dogs around. What is wrong with getting a poodle, a schnauzer, or a flipping cockapoo? Too many people feel they need the Pitt on the leash and they can’t handle them.
The type of owner these dogs attract is the problem.
The actual problem some dog owners have a lower IQ than the dog and these people seam to be attracted to dogs which have a higher tendency if mistreated to be aggressive.
*seem
all other things being equal, some dogs do have a greater propensity for attacking people / other dogs
The list doesn’t work perfectly because it’s a rigid & cheap way to deal with the problem. Instead of a simple ban list, dogs should have their breed and behaviour profiled by a specialist whenever someone makes a report. But even this isn’t perfect. Some dogs will attack before a report can be made.
This idea that we should forget about breed entirely is silly though. There are certain dog breeds more prone to and more capable of causing great harm to humans and this should be considered as part of the specialist profiling I mentioned. It’s never going to be perfect, so why ignore breed if it makes profiling more accurate?
True. Breed is number 1 to look out for. A bull mastiff can kill a child vs a miniature schnauzer who can merely lick the child. Before the pro-pitties shoot me down, I will confess that not all terrier, Doberman and Alsatian types are dangerous.
What we need in Britain is the return of dog licensing. At the end of the day, as a dog owner you’re responsible for a sharp-toothed mammal which is not properly accountable for its own actions or capable of understanding human laws. Scrapping the dog licence – yet another short-sighted boo boo legacy from Thatcher’s time in office.
Keep your dog on a leash. It’s the law!
Well said!
I can’t imagine what he went through in his last moments on this earth..Rip..
It’s being reported that someone threw him a knife but being a dog lover he refused to use it.
He fell into unconsciousness while the dog was still savaging him. Police who arrived on the scene used a fire extinguisher to make the dog back off.
What the hell was the 29 year owner doing? He should be done for manslaughter…might make some of those degenerates think twice before ill-treating dogs to the point that they are ready to kill. Not so amusing now, is it. Poor, poor gentleman and his little companion… Very sad.
Throw the owner in a dog pit.
See how he likes that.
Simple!! Ban all dogs they serve no purpose, except for the exceptional dogs that are trained to find bombs and help blind people
Max i cannot imagine that being popular
Jesus this is horrific! I can’t even imagine it, the thought he had of just taking his own friend for a walk, who probably didn’t make it either. Tragic.
The problem with this type of dog is the specialised management the breed needs, a lot of the time those who are buying these dogs are buying them for the look of them!, it is nonsense to state any dog has the propensity to to do this damage, I have a chihuahua and a little Pom mix and neither would be capable of this, as neither would a lot of breeds, even if a breed is capable of this it would take a dog that has been very badly treated to behave in this savage manner, the dog should never have been returned to his owner if there was any doubt regarding the dog’s welfare or public safety, poor man died trying to save his little companion, very sad…..
They hold on to dogs, for months if not years, who have no behavioral issues and are much loved family pets, and then they return this one to his owner. How about getting rid of this useless legislation and replacing it with Owner Specific or Dangerous Owner Legislation. It’s the idiot people who are the real problem.
You guys shouldn’t have dogs. They are animals plain and simple. Pack animals with great senses which.makes them usefull to us. No matter what an owner does and doesn’t do all dogs have this in them and will attack smaller animals asserting there dominance. If you don’t believe this and are snuggling up to your “best friend” your an idiot and shouldn’t have one. Grown men and women acting like children with there dogs is wrong and the animal will think it is the alfa male not you.
Looked like a pit bull, behaved like a vicious pit bull and killed a human being.
Some dogs, if they turn vicious, have the capacity to use powerful jaws to kill human beings. The issue is capacity to kill. Other breeds of dog may turn vicious, due to maltreatment, but will only injure you, not kill you.
I was on a bicycle at 21 years of age and was savaged by German Shepherd, which sudden,y attacked me. I still have scars on my thighs and calves. I used the bicycle to fend off and then to hit the dog as the owner, a young lad threatened me and tried to hit me.
The young owner and his parents then reported me to the Garda Siochana for an unprovoked attack on the dog but it turned out that the dog was the subject of previous complaints. The Guards told me that they could persuade the family to drop the charges if I dropped any complaint. The dog caused havoc locally until it suddenly disappeared.
Jaw strength is the primary lethal factor. Most dogs are wonderful and, despite the one bad experience, I love dogs and don’t feel nervous of them.
Had it been a pit bull or a pit bull type dig with super jaw strength I would likely have been killed, not scarred.
Wow, sounds bad.
Imagine having that lot as neighbours.
These idiots complained against YOU? Freakin world’s gone mad
All these so called do-gooder and animal lovers better take heed of this story and don’t be so quick to prevent a suspected dangerous dog from being put down.I have a small Westoe dog and it is worrying when you see a huge breed of dog coming towards you with some dope who’s supposed to have it muzzled and on a lead. There needs to be more done to make sure the owners comply with the rules.
Totally agree
Thuggish people like thuggish dogs.
The dog was NOT a banned breed, therefore this law is rubbish and the 29 year old should go to prison and never ever be own an animal and be kept in captivity all his life
Yep and the idiots who let this dog go back to its owner have a vicious horrible death on their hands.
I’m for castrating and muzzling LOTS of breeds AND dogs with obvious behavioural problems.
No human life is worth it
The usual crazies will be on here saying its not the breed, its the owner…..poor fella. All large attack dogs should be on a muzzle, period.
These “crazies” watch too much of that clown Milan. All dogs are dangerous on some level. They all have this in them they are pack animals and will attack smaller dogs if they feel like it. They also will turn on anyone who tries and stops them if they fly in to a rage. If you don’t believe this or don’t think dogs are simply animals you shouldn’t have one.
Large and dangerous dogs shouldn’t be bred. Simple as that. All this nonsense about lists and how owners treat them just muddies the obvious reality. They’re unpredictable animals who could rip a child’s face off and we put up with them living beside us? RIP to that poor man too, as good as eaten alive on the street
R.I.P. I’m a dog lover but in that situation, given a knife, I’d have no hesitation in using it.
Calling for all dogs to be banned ffs. Why do I have to live in the same country as these morons. No wonder we live in a sad little nanny state. These gobshiites are actually allowed to vote. The same fools who want cigarette machines banned thinking that no one will smoke anymore. A country full of gobshiites I tell you.
While I agree that larger breeds of dogs can do more damage, I do think that BSL is completely pointless. It’s idiotic to think that a pitbull, Staffie or German Shepard etc can do any more damage than a labrador, golden retriever, Boxer or any other dog of the same size and weight. Any large dog has the potential to be dangerous with the wrong owners so targeting a small selection is ineffective and there’s plenty of research out there to back it up. In fact the degenerates our society are probably more attracted to owning ‘restricted breeds’.
My heart goes out to this poor man and his family. What a horrific tragedy. RIP
Such a well written post. Yes. And tragic
Don’t look at the dog, look at the owner.
Man killed by dog. Not by dog’s idiot owner.
Muzzle these large vicious attack dogs ( who cares what the breed is) or euthanasia.
And a bit of law enforcement would be welcome
It was very foolish of him sacrificing his life to save his dog. The second the pit bull attacked his dog he should have run for the hills. Now look at the result he’s dead and his dog is alive. I’m sure that’s no comfort to his family. A human life is way more precious than an animal’s. All dogs should be banned. They are all dangerous on some level.
@Amy, spoken like a true animal lover!, that little dog was his companion that he loved enough to try to save, no one to blame here but the dog’s obvious negligent owner and the authorities who released the dog back into his care, I personally could never live in a world without dogs!
I wouldn’t fo as far aa banning all dogs but definitely would agree that all dogs are dangerous on some level. They are animals and can lose it at anytime no.matter what the owner does. With a jack russel you can kick it off with a Pit Bull your dead. Obviously the pokice didn’t see a danger until it was too late. The dog attacked a smaller dog this is what they do and turned on the guy again all dogs have this in them.
Almost every dog authority (and we’re not talking shelters, pounds or a random vet) agrees it’s not about a particular breed. That notion is totally debunked. In different areas it’s different breeds. From collies and terriers in Irelands to staffies in other countries. In Sweden they use German Shepherds in their ads for “bring your dog to the store”. Some places haev removed problem breeds from areas and seen an INCREASE in bites. Policy must not be focused on “problem breeds”. I wrote a piece on how redundant the idea of the goverments recent proposal for “dangerous breed” signs” in dog parks was (https://www.facebook.com/DogsFirstIreland/photos/a.396088297121219.90023.154235037973214/1121008684629173/?type=3&theater). It was well received. Check out the references at the bottom of this article for major groups that stipulate it is not about particular breeds, and the references are not a random shelter but include authorities like The National Canine Research Centre, National Animal Control Assoc, American Bar Assoc., American Kennel Club, American Veterinary Assoc etc, even the White House! http://www.dogsfirst.ie/dog-bites-continued/
R i p
Poor guy and poor family whoever was in charge of decision to return this animal should also be held responsible
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