Going to america

[HAZZA-VN]

Ok story is 10 years ago my grandma moved to US of A and is now really sick basically on life support at the moment with anything from 1 month to 6 months to live, all sprung on us yesterday, and confirmed today, been running around all day today getting passports because neither my parents or me have even been on a plane.

Was just wondering, what sort of stuff can you take on the plan to amuse yourself??? Do they have the internet???

I'm basically shiat scared of going over there because of the plane, and bombings lol and im claustrophobic,

Also does anyone no being on my ""P"" is it legal for me to drive over there???

We are going to try and make the most of this trip considering its costing close to $15,000 at a guess to see her but to site see a lil bit as well as we cant spend 24/7 with her considering she can't talk and can barely write on a bit of paper we are going to Connecticut which is were she lives ??? any were people can recommend going from past experiences?

[HRT 666]

I doubt they will let anyone use internet on a plane as the signals muck the planes computers arounds so ive heard.
As for driving when your there i would say i wouldnt be worth the head fu3Ks just incase something happens eg accident and then it could turn into a nightmare.
Just my thoughts and sad that you have to go there under the circumstances but try have a good time.

[SAV_117]

umm when i went to queensland they had like fox on the little screens in the seats u might get that yeah i didnt like the plane either lol i hate it i hate it lol never going again haahha lol nah dont wanna scare u to bad lol tooo bad about ya grandma man hope everythin is okay or will be

[ClairBear]

I think you need to apply for an international licence to drive in USA, but I don't know if you could on P's. Best check with the travel agent.

You can catch a movie or two on the plane, but probably best to sleep on long flights as it is very boring.

[MudBlood]

watch out for the John Denver music before you hop on the plane

Some of the more upperclass airline have internet available, middleclass have fox or whatever, some have seats, others have goats.

serious now..

Best wishes for your grandmother, may the joy of seeing you all bring her lots of happy memorable moments.

Keep in mind though, i seen both my grandparents in their last few moments of life and it is very saddening, take a lot of tissues etc.

[CALAIS 6]

on plane u will have a heap off movies too watch on ur own tv and control thing with games and **** lol like tetris its boring as but there isnt much else hahahaha

As for driving from what iv found when i was on my p's is most countrys dont regonise the p lisence adn wont insure u which makes it a problem

[HAZZA-VN]

yeah thats what i was thinking about the license, thanks as well guys much appreciated

[minux]

Licensing depends on the state, best to make some enquiries in the state your heading to.

[HAZZA-VN]

Are you aloud to take an ipod or mp3 player?

[tommo82]

You usually don't need a special license to drive in the US under normal conditions. Whether this is affected by a P license I am unsure so check as minux suggests.

There is unlikely to be internet access on the plane. Which airline are you travelling on? Only 3 really operate from Australia to the US (Qantas, United and Air New Zealand, via Auckland). Qantas don't have it, I doubt AirNZ have it, and I doubt United do.

My only recommendations are as follows:

1. Take something like an ipod or gameboy etc to keep you amused. If you are into TV then there is ample video on the plane to watch for the 14 hour segment to the US. I usually sleep . Ask at the check-in counter if it's possible to have an empty seat next to you. Economy class really is painful for 14 hours.

2. Los Angeles is renowned for disappearing luggage. Put at least a change of clothes in your small carry on bags.

3. If you do rent a car make sure you check out the "Collision Damage Waiver" / "Excess Reduction". They usually charge you $10-$20 per day on top of the rental. Otherwise you can end up paying massive fees if you have even the slightest accident.

4. Connecticut is about halfway between New York City and Boston. Those are both beautiful places to visit with heaps to see.

5. Depending on the airline you are travelling on, try and depart the US from San Francisco. It really is another great place to visit.

[tommo82]

Are you aloud to take an ipod or mp3 player?

Yes. Absolutely.

[ozengines]

You do not need an International Licence for the USA
When you get there, just the different photo licence throws them into a spin, I doubt if you will get a car on P plates, or it wil cost you an arm and leg for insurance. Email the rental places online and ask, let your fingers do the talking before you get there man. Have the car booked before you leave here and pick it up from LA International on arrival. I have been there 5 times and driving is now a breeze, first time it scares you ****less, the traffic is huge around the airports.
Watch you speed, you go crazy and you get locked up in some states. Do not tail gate, the Yanks HATE that.
The various US state licences are no problem, your Aussie licence once accepted by the rental car company is good for USA and Canada.
The planes have heaps of movies, get some sleep and arrive fresh, drink plenty of water and not alcohol. get some mild sleeping pills if your claustrophobic, see your doctor.
You can use iPod. MP3 players and laptops after take off.
Have fun dude

[PREDATR]

Bring me back a 9" and **** loads of braided hose and earls fittings Hazza LOL

[Scooter79]

We went to the US in 2006 for our honeymoon. The flight isn't too bad. Just try to get some sleep on the plane and you'll be fine. Take an mp3 player and Quantas economy class has screens in the back of the headrest and you're given some headphones. I recommend taking a small pillow too. I spent much of the flight following the flight path. You'll land in LA and then Fly onto NY airport.

Best advice I can give you is do not ride the Greyhound buses. They're a household name and supposedly an American icon but be prepared to be aquainted with every American piece of scum and their body odour. If you can go by train, Am Track is fantastic.

You're only a few hours from New York city so visit there. But everything is rediculously expensive in NY. We thought we'd get a maccas meal for something cheap. A happy meal was $10 US in NY. Then on the highways heading to Alabama they had billboards advertising the "99c Happy Meal".

Don't waste your time driving unless it's around the corner to buy a loaf of bread. It's simply not worth the hassle.

If you get a bit home sick then get on the Amtrack and head up to Niagra falls. Canadians are much more like Australians and don't quite have their heads up their arse like most Americans.

Best of luck and I hope everything goes well for ya.

[tommo82]

I know alot of people share the same opinion of Americans but I usually find them extremely pleasant people (especially toward visitors).

The service (hospitality) in the US generally leaves this country for dead. People are so willing to help (obviously there is tipping expected). In particular; restaurants and hotels you will notice a difference. Here (I have stayed in alot of hotels) they are generally careless and unenthusiastic (obviously I'm generalising).

[CSP]

Have you seen The 5th Element? Plane travel is EXACTLY like in the movie!

[fnlow1]

Sorry bout your g-ma.

My advice:
If you dont like flying get really drunk the night before getting on the plane and sleep it off the whole way there.

Be nice to customs.

Don't take dogey **** on the plane or in ya luggage.

Checkout smarttraveller.gov.au or watever its called.

Talk with a full blown aussie accent- most yanks digg that, try to pick up.

Take ****loads of photos.

Have a ball.

probably buy a house considering they're so cheap there atm with 1% interest rates. Not that anyone will lend you money.

hmmm hire a corvette or mustang, do skids.

are you over 21? you prolly cant drink **** over there (legally)

be nice to everyone (assume they are carrying a big gun and like shooting skips)

stay out the hood

Take my advice or don't its all good

[1991_Vn2nV]

Most importantly...

Don't forget to drive on the right hand side of the road lol

[Astranomical]

Personally, since you've never been on a plane before, I can understand you being scared of it, though if anything, going by air is one of the safest ways to travel, sure, you may hear about a lot of crashes in the news, but when you compare say, the few hundred crashes that happen per year to the millions of successful flights that go without incident, the odds are pretty well in your favour. If anything, I find going through security is scarier than actually getting on the plane! (and more infuriating, to boot)

[Miss-E]

Dont forget your pet kangaroo, cause they will all be expecting you have one.

[VrWagz1]

If your between 18-21, drink all the alcohol you can on the plane, cause you might have trouble getting a drink when you get there. Actually, best to have a few stiff ones before you get on anywayz, as theres no reason you cant go around the airport half cut and hook in early on the plane and have a good snooze in the second half.

[Astranomical]

Apart from the fact that airline grog costs an absolute ****load?

Then again, from what they say, apparently the effects of alcohol on you are increased when in a pressurised cabin or something like that, so maybe you're getting more value for money...who knows.

[1991_Vn2nV]

Apart from the fact that airline grog costs an absolute ****load?

Say what?

I get free alcohol on international flights? And im pretty sure it aint just me cause im not that good looking

[tommo82]

Alot of p1ssheads on this forum by the sounds of it.

[HAZZA-VN]

lmao, yeah my grandma said when she got there she had stupid questions how many kangaroos do you have on your farm how big is it, and shiat like that, Its funny because we see them as being ghetto crazyed people with guns, and they see us as bogans that live with kangaroos and walk around with boomerangs