Distracted Flying, We'll See How it Works...

[Dachiri]

It's been a killer few months for me. Lots of stuff going on at work and, of course, buying a home, moving, etc. We now have a new wrinkle in that we are having trouble getting our visas for Vietnam. We're supposed to leave on Friday, and don't have our visas yet. We talked to the Embassy and they said we *might* be able to get them by COB tomorrow. If we don't we'll have to re-schedule...

So we'll see how all this nonsense plays on my nerves. I've had a few moments of nervousness approaching this trip. It's A LOT of flying (over 48 hours in 2 weeks), and includes two new airlines: China Southern and Vietnam Airlines! My coworker seems unaffected, but has admitted before he doesn't like flying. We'll see if he's any help if the nerves nail me at some point. Here's the crazy itinerary:

United Airlines

Flight# 603
Departs: DCA 11/6 7:00 AM
Arrives: ORD 11/6 8:16 AM


United Airlines

*Flight# 835
Departs: ORD 11/6 10:01 AM
Arrives: PVG 11/7 2:50 PM

SHANGHAI AIRLINES
Flight # 9365
Departs: SHA 11/8 1:00 PM
Arrives: YIH 11/8 2:55 PM

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES
Flight # 3075
Departs: WUH 11/14 9:00 AM
Arrives: HKG 11/14 10:35 AM


VIETNAM AIRLINES

Flight # 791
Departs: HKG 11/14 2:55 PM
Arrives: HAN 11/14 3:55 PM

VIETNAM AIRLINES

Flight # 297
Departs: HAN 11/15 1:10 PM
Arrives: VCA 11/15 3:20 PM


UNITED AIRLINES

Flight # 862
Departs: SGN 11/21 6:10 AM
Arrives: SFO 11/21 8:29 AM

Flight #120
Departs: SFO 11/21 10:40 AM
Arrives: IAD 11/21 6:45 PM


Bonus: as of right now (could change if we have to reschedule) we're flying business from ORD-PVG! :D

[Barb-SAN]

Wow...that IS a lot of flying! Will you take some pictures of VietNam airport, etc and post them? I don't recall anyone else here writing about flying to VietNam. We can enjoy your trip vicariously. :D

[MathFox]

That's 12 different airports in a two week's trip. Even more impressive than doing 8 flights. Good (visa) luck and a smooth trip!

[Aurora]

Wow!
Do you know which plane types it is on the different legs?

Have a nice trip, good luck :cool:

[Dachiri]

Went and begged for our visas this morning and got them. While we thought that was the end of it, one company sprung on us at the last minute that they were really far from the nearest major city. So we also had to change hotel reservations and procure car service this morning. But I THINK we're all ready to go now...

As far as planes go...without my itinerary in front of me, I remember that it's an A319 to Chicago (boooo...nothing wrong with the plane except the loud engines and uncomfortable seats, which are NOT welcome at 7 AM), a 777 business class to Shanghai (SWEET! AND...exit row seat...DOUBLE SWEET!), a number of 737s and A320s in China and Vietnam, and then a 747 to San Fran and an A320 back to DC.

Nerves now have the opportunity to kick up a bit, but hopefully they'll subside as I get closer. Didn't have much in the way of nerves on my last trip to San Fran, so I'm going to work on the assumption that it's all the other stress and just tell myself to get over it and breathe. :thumbsup:

Of course I'll be taking lots of pictures. I've been really bad about editing and uploading stuff recently, but I'll try to make myself do it quickly this time. :D