Long Haul Pilots

[Mooseflyer]

If you don't already have a laptop, you'll want one soon. When you wake up at 2200 local on your "day" off and are wide awake until sunrise, you can pass the time watching dvds, playing games, writing email, listening to mp3s, surfing the net (if you have access),etc. Books are great too, but personally I can't read for 10 straight hours.

I fully agree with the "food in a backpack" for the same reasons.

I bring clothes for all types of wx. Shorts and t-shirts to polar fleece and jacket. Many times, I'll wear both in the same day. Not too much of a concern this time of year though.

Have fun...

 

[Vik]

I second the Vonage phone adapter, the rubbers and the imodium.

 

[VVJM265]

Might as well upgrade your cell to triband. Internet phone etc is good for when your are back at the hotel, but its nice to have something that will work in the event of an emergency. Make sure you store the numbers with a "+1" in front of the area code. That way any network the phone happens to be on will automatically figure out how to connect back to the states (or + country code, then number for else where).

Good luck!

 

[Clutch_Cargo]

Might as well upgrade your cell to triband.

Terryhfly,

Consider where you'll be spending your time if you are going to switch phones. Some countries, like Japan and South Korea, use a different system and even a tri-band phone isn't going to work there. Also, there are some countries where American cell phone companies do not have agreements with local carriers to provide coverage... not that you want to go that way. Using an American provider overseas can be very expensive, depending on location. The best way around that is to get pre-paid SIM cards from a local cell phone provider. Downside is your phone has to be unlocked, which you may have to do yourself because some companies won't unlock them, and the fact that you'll have a different phone number with each SIM card... so your phone number in Frankfurt won't be the same as the one in Kuala Lumpur... not a big deal if you leave an itinerary/number list with people (or use something like this). FWIW, I have a tri-band phone and I can count on one hand the times I've used it overseas. Once you get online, you'll get plenty of good gouge from your fellow crewmembers and soon find what works for you and what doesn't. Have fun!

cc

 

[T-1GUY]

I once needed some dental floss. I couldn't find any anywhere. It sucked to have something bothering me with no way of getting it out.... I finally went into
Macgivor mode and took a thread from a sock... Worked like a charm...

 

[VVJM265]

Some countries, like Japan and South Korea, use a different system and even a tri-band phone isn't going to work there.
cc

Interesting. I didn't realize that about Japan & SK. I had a triband in Italy, of course the carrier was European, Ominitel if I remember. I used it all the time, all over the place: Moscow, Sempherpol, back here in the states, etc. Learn something new every day....

 

[Bjammin]

They actually have quad band phones out now that will work on the network in Japan. The SIM card thing is Gouge and many countries have good pre-paid, non expeiry deals for calling back to the states. They even have little SIM card carriers now.

 

[Cutlass1287]

Sweedish made p~~~s enlarger pump

 

[typhoonpilot]

A Leatherman in the checked baggage is always nice to have. Of course, if you don't check your suitcase that would make it difficult getting past the TSA.

TP

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

condoms

And don't forget your vitamin V.

Who cares whether you have the $hits, good food, whatever, but sheeesh, ya gotta remember the fooking equipment before anything!

 

[dash8driver]

unless there are some other phones out that are very new. the quad band phones are to cover the 2 US freqs (800/1900. the US added one making companys move from tribands to quad), and the 2 "euro/asian" frequencies (900/1800).

i dont know about korea. but in japan they use UMTS which uses wCDMA, which is a completely different protocol than the quad band phones (GSM).

if you're going to get a quad band phone to use overseas. get it unlocked so you can use local sim cards. they are way, way cheaper than trying to pay int'l roaming.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

if you're going to get a quad band phone to use overseas. get it unlocked so you can use local sim cards. they are way, way cheaper than trying to pay int'l roaming.

And don't think you will buy a quad-band in Asia cheaper. I just priced some in Bangkok and they are farging-A expensive. However, T-mobile will GIVE you a quad for free just for signing up for a year of one of their regular US plans. Getting them unlocked abroad is cheaper, I hear. I priced that recently in Asia at about 7 bucks to get it done. I think you'll pay plenty more in the US. Them little girlies just love to send you text messages...get the quad, baby. (and don't forget your Jimmy-hat).

 

[dash8driver]

And don't think you will buy a quad-band in Asia cheaper. I just priced some in Bangkok and they are farging-A expensive. However, T-mobile will GIVE you a quad for free just for signing up for a year of one of their regular US plans. Getting them unlocked abroad is cheaper, I hear. I priced that recently in Asia at about 7 bucks to get it done. I think you'll pay plenty more in the US. Them little girlies just love to send you text messages...get the quad, baby. (and don't forget your Jimmy-hat).

yea.. they dont have these sign a contract and get a phone for 50 bux deal. you are buying the phone for pretty much full retail. there are online websites out there that you can unlock your phone with, prices vary depending on the model. if you wait and take it overseas, you may be able to find a shop that will do it for you for cheaper.

hugh, if you're phone is still locked. the next time you're in bkk, go to MBK. there are a zillion cell shops in there. i forgot the name of one of the ones that does unlocking. they were called "phone buddy" or something like that, they were in a regular shop stalls on the inside perimeter of the building, not one of the many in the middle. just a couple doors down from well stocked camera shop.

 

[zonker]

What is a "locked" cell phone? I've read about this before but never understood the meaning.

 

[dash8driver]

a provider (like cingular) who purchases a bunch of phones to sell to you at a cheap rate with a contract. they are able to lock the phones so that you can only use sim cards from that company and not from another company. they feel this is the way they can keep more customers.

so if you have a cingular phone, you can use your sim card in it, any of your friends with a cingular sim card can put their sim card in and use it as if it were their phone. if your t-mobile friend tries to put his sim card in your phone, the phone will not operate. once you unlock your phone, any sim card, from any provider will work.

i unlock my phones so when i travel i can buy a local pay as you go sim card and use it in my phone.