Kathy Riordan

Kathy Riordan
Location
Florida, United States
Birthday
April 27
Bio
One woman's view of life and the universe. Follow @katriord on Twitter.

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FEBRUARY 1, 2010 1:11AM

Taking the Red-Eye

Rate: 20 Flag
airplanesleep
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 
 
I wish it were this glamorous.  It's not.
 
I hate red-eye flights.  I avoid them for a reason.  Occasionally I'll take them coming back from Honolulu, but otherwise, nada.
 
Tonight, however, I'm on a red-eye from PDX-ATL, and by the time you read this, I'll be on board snoozing away a week's worth of stress next to two other (hopefully very skinny) people (who don't snore), with my new Brookstone travel pillow with matching face mask and travel blanket (since the airlines are too cheap to give us anything anymore and H1N1 has become the Black Death).
 
No book.  A laptop.  Much fatigue.  Hopefully, some sleep.  
 
Perchance to dream. 
 
 
 
******* 
 
Despite my fear and loathing of red-eye flights, here's why many people like them:
 
1) Cheaper
 
2) Less crowded
 
3) Easier check-in
 
4) Less work time lost
 
5) Save cost of hotel room
 
6) Fewer screaming children
 
7) Far fewer calories consumed
 
8) No strangers bothering in flight
 
9) Shorter lines going through security
 
10) Happy reminder of high school bus trips 

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Comments

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Rest, sweetheart, you've earned it. And please keep us posted.
Last time I took a red-eye, the (skinny) guy in the seat next to me fell asleep and dropped over onto my seat. Open mouthed. Drooling. Gah. Hope he's not on your flight.

Godspeed. Sleep well.
Ugh. I wish you travels that are smooth. I like red-eyed flights because I can have some wine, board, and then snooze. Hope you got the snooze part.
I haaaaate red-eyes and refuse to take them. Except when I have to. And then I hate them even more.
I refuse to take the red-eye anymore, after 30 years of Alaska red-eye flights. The busiest time in Ted Stevens Anchorage International is from 11pm to 2:30am, so the flights can land in daylight in the Lower 48. But I'm always bleary, sleepless, unkempt, and stinky after such a misadventure. Fun post!
So much for snoozing. I'm checking out the inflight wi-fi, and loving the fact that I bribed the gate agent into a window seat. Readjust eye mask, eat cookie, position blanket, ignore projects going on in next seat.
Never took a red eye and now I hope I never have to!
R
Somewhere over Memphis.
I hope you rest well. I share your loathing for the red-eye_take care.
I like the idea of bringing your own stuff like the blankets and pillow. I still wish they had some other way to ventilate those planes. You are one busy person!
I can never sleep on those flights. I am happy to see you headed for a well-deserved rest.
ugh, the red eye - I used to do those between LAX - LGA. bad news. but, good for you with the eye pillow treat. hope all is well, looking forward to updates. Sweet dreams...xx a
Safe flight. Safe landing. Thanx for bringing us with you! (r)
Kathy, my heart goes out to you. There is no rollercoaster like an emotional one; the shear exaustion of it all. You've ridden it well. I wish you physical rest and emtional peace, knowing you've earned both. (((R)))
I like red eyes for the reasons you have named. Hope you get some sleep and get through the airline messes unscathed. R
Welcome back. Now get some rest. Doctor's orders. :-D

We'll see you later.
hope there is a Guinness in the fridge. ~ welcome home!
Sorry I missed your flight, glad you made it home. Hope you're sleeping now. The only red eye I ever take is to Europe or Israel, upgraded to Biz Class, seats go flat, I take drugs and sleeeeep.
Worked the red eyes from JFK to Europe for 3 years. Gotta make a living somehow! It was fun, I was young and usually not too crowded and the passengers did get all the perks back then, even in Coach! Bankies, lillows, eye masks, sockies, deck of cards, travel tooth brush and tooth paste, a comb, mini mouth wash, Kleenex and yes, a pair of plastic wings. There was an abundance of worldly magazines for every taste and several newspapers. Coach on international, back in the day, was...that good. Glad you're home safe and sound!
I think I just slept eight hours. Sort of.
Hope you were able to rest.
A comfy travel blanket and travel pillow are the way to go. I like to snuggle so the long ones with the foot pockets are the way to go.