Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kestav]

I am coming to teach in Korea in early May and I am not looking forward to the very long flight from Kansas. I was just wondering how you all managed to survive the journey with your sanity intact.

[T-J]

No one has. We are all quite insane.

[T-J]

Seriously, it's not that bad. Just bring stuff to do. It's much easier now that a lot of the planes have personal entertainment systems in the seat headrest in front of you.

Bit of advice, I prefer to request an aisle seat as it enables me to get up and down as much as I want without bothering anyone.

Bring a couple different things to do and just break up the trip into sections. Try not to sleep too much during the flight, you will be more tired when you arrive allowing you to sleep your first night and adjust to the time difference a little faster.

It's easier coming here than going back to the States as far as the time difference goes, at least it has been for me. Seventeen flights over the past nineteen years and I'm sure I'll make that trip a few more times....Told you we were all crazy.....

[patrickk]

if possible don't fly directly from kansas.
fly to san francisco and spend a couple of days enjoying the city. then hop on the singapore air flight to korea. awesome service, plenty of entertainment (viewing/listening) options and pretty good food.
also, try to get a bulk-head seat so you can stretch out and as mentioned before, easily get up and move around.

[Kestav]

All the flights I looked at do stop there, so that might be possible. I haven't had a vacation in years and I've never been on the West coast before. Good idea.

[jugbandjames]

Last summer, I cycled and camped in Europe for about 2 months. I flew over on a standby ticket. After taking an 8 hour train trip from my hometown to the airport in DC, I spent 28 hours in the airport waiting for a flight and then about 10 hours on the flight itself. I'd exhausted the book I brought for the flight before I even got on. I just spent the rest of my time staring at people.

[djsmnc]

[jmuns]

never been to the west coast, and from the sounds of it, maybe never out of the states. can't wait to hear about what you have to say when you get here, because you sure wont be in kansas anymore

[AsiaESLbound]

It's exhausting to do this trip. Not only because you are up 30 to 45 hours straight without a bed, but because of the dramatic time change as well. Try to arrive in Korea on a Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to rest and relax.

[Kestav]

No, I have never left the country. NYC and Dallas are about as far as I've flown and those were bad enough to fly to in coach.

[machinoman]

[dosed_neurons]

alprazolam...you'll be out for half the flight.

[Globutron]

Ah, if only you guys could go via Dubai on Emirates. I pity y'all. *swoons at Emirates*

[PeteJB]

<- Gold Emirates member

[DorkothyParker]

I flew United and it was pretty solid. The seats were comfy enough and I got my requested window seat which meant that there were only 2 seats and a break so I didn't have to sit by a stranger.

I flew in from Idaho which was roughly two hours to San Francisco with a brief layover where I could exchange my money, eat Mexican food, and buy scotch. The second flight was *okay* but I couldn't sleep. You will feel drained and hit hard. Just don't let your school force you into working or observing on your first day in and you should be okay. I think flying out on a Thursday morning like I did you should arrive not too late Friday night (time shift). Then you can rest the weekend.

When I arrived, between the strange language I didn't understand, the tall buildings, the flashing lights and exhaustion, I felt like I was in a trance.

Also I didn't drink on the plane, but you really should have a bloody mary because those are so nice on airplanes.

Bring toilet paper and toiletries to last you a day or two in your bag so you can have a decent shower the next morning. Also, extra snacks in the carry-on never hurt anyone. Especially things that aren't too salty or sweet. (maybe raw almonds?) Take advantage of all your luggage space!