Long Haul Pilots

[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.

 

[mar]

Little magic pills

If your AME prescribes Ambien (sleeping pill) he should notify the FAA.

Or you could just make a stop in India and load up on some in addition to the Viagra you may (or may not) require.

Ambien is a miracle drug as far as I'm concerned. It seems to allow you to sleep for just as much as you happen to need and then when you wake up there is no "hang over" or foggyness.

You just get 6 to 8 hours of really good quality (REM) sleep.

TylenolPM will do in a pinch but that sort of wipes me out for 12 hours. I won't even consider taking TylenolPM less than 12 hours to push. Ambien, no problem.

And one beer and Ambien won't tear up your liver either. Not that I recommend mixing alcohol and drugs.

Congrats on the new job!!

[Edit: If you don't get a prescription from your AME just start with 5mg (half a tablet) to see if that's enough. I'm 5'8" 155# and take 10mg]

 

[zonker]

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.

Muchas Gracias.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

some repeats here, but here are the essentials.

Ambien
Ipod
Quad band cell phone / sims for often visited countries
lightweight laptop / adapters
immodium
copy of front page of passport (never ever carry your original on the street)
vitamins
nasal saline for 13hr legs in dry airplanes (even with humidifiers)
battery powered alarm clock with extra battery. (cant find a small wind up one)

theme here: small....no lugging around bricks.

 

[aeronautic1]

To add to G200...

Bubble gum (yum)
Visene (eye strain)
condoms (D'OH)
small portable DVD (no room in the cockpit of a G200 for laptop)
Small pair of binoculars (for gazing at borealis)
One of those horseshoe pillows (comfy)
Sleeping eye mask (it's your hour)
SMOKES (even if you don't, they cost a fortune there)

 

[TurboS7]

Congrates on World, it is a great company with some great flying, if I could transition there without pain I would.World does the same military flying that we do except we visit KEF and Bucharest along the way. We leave at the same time and get there two hours later. Most of us just pack for 10 days. You are required to have 1 day off in 7 so that is laundry day. Then you have 3 extra days just in case. Most trips you will fly 16 to 18 hours then have 30 to 40 hours off, then you will fly back. You have to be very fexible, you will start out going one place and then go another and the tricks just go on and on, you have to learn to go with the flow and don't buck it. Most of your flying will be troop movements to Kuwait, FRU, and other interesting places. As for stuff to take, I just take clothes for 10 days, Tethenal PM(emergency use only) Take lots of vitamins, they keep you going and keep you from getting sick.Immodium, Sudifed,and whatever. Sleep isn't too bad of a thing to come by, most of the time when you arrive you are so tired you sleep like a baby. I love flying international long haul, the world gets small and it is a great lifestyle

 

[TurboS7]

Comunication home. I have t-moble which works great but cost a lot. When I arrive I call home say I love you I am safe will call later. Then I go and get a local calling card and us that to call home, usually cost about .06 cents per minute.(Germany, and most of Europe) Not a bad deal. Calling from Asia I just say I call ya in an emergency otherwise I will be having too much fun........

 

[Reebo]

Any of you guys use the portable XM satellite radio?

 

[semperfido]

just think-- no more endless cnn repeats etc etc--

every long haul pilot will want one of these. you can watch your own tv at home from anywhere on the globe-- just need an internet connection.

http://www.slingmedia.com/

a couple of our guys bought these for 250 bucks at comp usa.

 

[Fit59]

just think-- no more endless cnn repeats etc etc--

every long haul pilot will want one of these. you can watch your own tv at home from anywhere on the globe-- just need an internet connection.

http://www.slingmedia.com/

a couple of our guys bought these for 250 bucks at comp usa.

That is great! Imagine watching the NFL via Sunday Ticket in KWI!!! I am psyched. Semperfido, can you keep us posted on how well it works? Thanks.

 

[semperfido]

i am putting the software on my laptop as we speak so i can watch my buddy's tv while i am in far off lands next week-- i will let you know.