Should I fly to New York for the weekend?
October 5, 2011 2:51 PM Subscribe
Should I fly to New York for the weekend? (from London)
My sister is studying at McMaster University near Toronto for a year. She's turning 21 in November and has hatched a crazy idea to have a family meetup in New York the weekend after her birthday. My parents and I (and possibly my 80-something-year-old Granny) would all be flying from the UK. Parents and Granny all have a fair amount of flexibility and would be able to go for longer than literally just a weekend. I'm a teacher so I can't have extra days off.
I've looked up flights and this is the situation:
Leave school at 3.30pm on Friday, get to Heathrow, fly out 8pm
Arrive JFK 22:45 on Friday evening
Saturday in New York!
Part of Sunday in New York!
Sunday fly out of JFK at 18:20
Arrive LHR 06:20 Monday morning, travel straight to school
Monday is a training day so I won't have to teach but I will have to physically be there
Tuesday straight back in the deep end.
So, what do you think? Madness? The price is not prohibitive and I've worked it out that if I don't sleep on the way there and do on the way back I should be relatively well-adjusted to local time.
If I don't go my sister might be back at Christmas in which case I'd see her then or she might not in which case I won't see her until next summer sometime.
Opinions please! I'm torn between "this is a stupid idea" and "this is an awesome idea". Future me might hate me on the Tuesday if/when I'm jetlagged and faced with 30 year 8s. Thanks.
P.S I know environmentally this is an awful idea but this is NOT the kind of thing I do on a regular basis!
My sister is studying at McMaster University near Toronto for a year. She's turning 21 in November and has hatched a crazy idea to have a family meetup in New York the weekend after her birthday. My parents and I (and possibly my 80-something-year-old Granny) would all be flying from the UK. Parents and Granny all have a fair amount of flexibility and would be able to go for longer than literally just a weekend. I'm a teacher so I can't have extra days off.
I've looked up flights and this is the situation:
Leave school at 3.30pm on Friday, get to Heathrow, fly out 8pm
Arrive JFK 22:45 on Friday evening
Saturday in New York!
Part of Sunday in New York!
Sunday fly out of JFK at 18:20
Arrive LHR 06:20 Monday morning, travel straight to school
Monday is a training day so I won't have to teach but I will have to physically be there
Tuesday straight back in the deep end.
So, what do you think? Madness? The price is not prohibitive and I've worked it out that if I don't sleep on the way there and do on the way back I should be relatively well-adjusted to local time.
If I don't go my sister might be back at Christmas in which case I'd see her then or she might not in which case I won't see her until next summer sometime.
Opinions please! I'm torn between "this is a stupid idea" and "this is an awesome idea". Future me might hate me on the Tuesday if/when I'm jetlagged and faced with 30 year 8s. Thanks.
P.S I know environmentally this is an awful idea but this is NOT the kind of thing I do on a regular basis!
This is a stupid idea. What's going to happen if any of your flights are several hours late?
posted by grouse at 3:15 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by grouse at 3:15 PM on October 5, 2011
Do you have anything better to do? If not, I say go for it.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 3:16 PM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by thewumpusisdead at 3:16 PM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'd say go for it! On Tuesday, you'll be tired, but for the rest of your life, you'll have those memories of when you were a LEGEND.
posted by EtTuHealy at 3:20 PM on October 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by EtTuHealy at 3:20 PM on October 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
I live in San Francisco and I've made several trips to New York for the weekend. It's a 5-6 hour flight instead of 6-7 for you, but pretty close.
It's exhausting, but by no means crazy -- NYC is great for a whirlwind visit!
Are there no later flights out on Sunday? That's really the only major flaw in your plan.
posted by eugenen at 3:21 PM on October 5, 2011
It's exhausting, but by no means crazy -- NYC is great for a whirlwind visit!
Are there no later flights out on Sunday? That's really the only major flaw in your plan.
posted by eugenen at 3:21 PM on October 5, 2011
I've done this before (sort of for work but also for fun) a while back. It was a great experience. No doubt I felt like death warmed up on the tuesday (and you will be too, and you'll hate yourself) but that will pass and the memories will last a whole lot longer, especially as this is a big deal family thing. I say do it.
On preview: What EtTuHealy said. Late there's not so bad. If you're late back worst case scenario is you miss some training day stuff. Probably not the end of the world.
When I went I had to sleep on a boardroom table in a warehouse in Brooklyn. It's a long story. I woke up looking at the Statue of Liberty across the bay. It was worth the jetlag just for that.
posted by Chairboy at 3:31 PM on October 5, 2011
On preview: What EtTuHealy said. Late there's not so bad. If you're late back worst case scenario is you miss some training day stuff. Probably not the end of the world.
When I went I had to sleep on a boardroom table in a warehouse in Brooklyn. It's a long story. I woke up looking at the Statue of Liberty across the bay. It was worth the jetlag just for that.
posted by Chairboy at 3:31 PM on October 5, 2011
If it were me, I'd be very faded Friday evening in New York, and pretty much a zombie on Monday (how well do you sleep on planes? - and bear in mind they'll probably only have the lights out for 5 hours or so), but I'd probably be OK on Saturday and Sunday, and with an early night on Monday, probably also OK on Tuesday. My sleep schedule's not very regular anyway, though, so inevitably YMMV.
November in England being what it is, I think in your shoes I'd go for it, as long as the Monday training day really is going to be a light day. Future you may not enjoy Tuesday much, but as long as she has happy memories of the weekend to look back on, will she really regret it?
Oh... on preview, grouse makes a good point; what consequences would there be if your return flight suffered a heavy delay? Maybe someone who flies between JFK and Heathrow regularly can chip in and tell us if it's a route that often suffers delays.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:33 PM on October 5, 2011
November in England being what it is, I think in your shoes I'd go for it, as long as the Monday training day really is going to be a light day. Future you may not enjoy Tuesday much, but as long as she has happy memories of the weekend to look back on, will she really regret it?
Oh... on preview, grouse makes a good point; what consequences would there be if your return flight suffered a heavy delay? Maybe someone who flies between JFK and Heathrow regularly can chip in and tell us if it's a route that often suffers delays.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:33 PM on October 5, 2011
Sounds like a good plan. I've done worse/ better for both business and pleasure.
Example:
-Sunday night red eye Boston - London
-Monday straight to work/ meetings in London
-Tuesday morning fly to Oslo, back to London in the evening
-Wednesday morning fly to Madrid, back to London in the evening
-Thursday meetings/ work in London, back to Boston in the evening
Feels pretty bad for few days, but it's possible to run a week on pure adrenaline. Don't recommend doing it too often.
posted by zeikka at 3:35 PM on October 5, 2011
Example:
-Sunday night red eye Boston - London
-Monday straight to work/ meetings in London
-Tuesday morning fly to Oslo, back to London in the evening
-Wednesday morning fly to Madrid, back to London in the evening
-Thursday meetings/ work in London, back to Boston in the evening
Feels pretty bad for few days, but it's possible to run a week on pure adrenaline. Don't recommend doing it too often.
posted by zeikka at 3:35 PM on October 5, 2011
Sounds like fun, that the good memories (and the photos) would last far longer than the discomfort.
(Operationally, dunno if you tend to be able to sleep on planes, but if not, try to do whatcha can so you are able to sleep on the flight home?)
As an old line goes, I'd rather regret something I did than something I didn't do.
posted by ambient2 at 3:53 PM on October 5, 2011
(Operationally, dunno if you tend to be able to sleep on planes, but if not, try to do whatcha can so you are able to sleep on the flight home?)
As an old line goes, I'd rather regret something I did than something I didn't do.
posted by ambient2 at 3:53 PM on October 5, 2011
Do it!! It sounds like it will be great family memory of a spontaneous adventure you all took together. I love the idea of it!
posted by bahama mama at 3:56 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by bahama mama at 3:56 PM on October 5, 2011
Go! It sounds like a glorious weekend. Monday and Tuesday will be rough, but the adventure is worth it.
posted by orangejenny at 4:08 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by orangejenny at 4:08 PM on October 5, 2011
Used to do it every other weekend - do it!
posted by zia at 4:09 PM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by zia at 4:09 PM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I say do it, as long as you don't get fired if your plane home is late or canceled.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:18 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:18 PM on October 5, 2011
Do it! As long as you can live with the consequences of a flight delay/cancellation home.
posted by Snazzy67 at 4:42 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by Snazzy67 at 4:42 PM on October 5, 2011
I would recommend getting their two hours early for a domestic flight. JFK on a Sunday night is horrible. I have never been through the international terminal, but the terminals I have been through are crowded and understaffed. Then there is traffic. It has sometimes taken me 30 minutes to drive a single mile towards JFK. I would advice against the trip.
posted by munchingzombie at 4:59 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by munchingzombie at 4:59 PM on October 5, 2011
Downsides:
1) As already mentioned, if anything goes awry the whole thing is screwed.
2) The jetlag is gonna be a bitch.
3) You're going to spend more time dealing with planes and airports than you will spend actual time on the ground with your family.
4) This sounds awfully expensive. Isn't a round trip NYC/LHR like $700-800? I know you're coming the other way and have the exchange rate on your side. But still.
Upsides:
1) New York is great!
2) Fun weekend with family!
3) Adventure!
Considerations:
1) If the weekend in question is USA Thanksgiving, then FUCK NO. JUST NO. I don't even like traveling from NYC to the 'burbs on Thanksgiving weekend. I cannot imagine trying to deal with the same travel insanity, plus 12-15 hours in the air, plus jetlag, plus only being at your destination for 36 hours, plus having no experience with the holiday in question at all.
2) Others are right, definitely allot plenty of time to get to/from JFK.
3) Don't underestimate the holiday rush even if you don't come for Thanksgiving. November is when the stores gear up for Holiday Shoppers and things like The Radio City Christmas Spectacular start going on. Tourists gradually become thicker and thicker on the ground starting somewhere between Halloween and the Marathon, and by Thanksgiving I wouldn't even go to Midtown on a weekend.
posted by Sara C. at 5:17 PM on October 5, 2011 [3 favorites]
1) As already mentioned, if anything goes awry the whole thing is screwed.
2) The jetlag is gonna be a bitch.
3) You're going to spend more time dealing with planes and airports than you will spend actual time on the ground with your family.
4) This sounds awfully expensive. Isn't a round trip NYC/LHR like $700-800? I know you're coming the other way and have the exchange rate on your side. But still.
Upsides:
1) New York is great!
2) Fun weekend with family!
3) Adventure!
Considerations:
1) If the weekend in question is USA Thanksgiving, then FUCK NO. JUST NO. I don't even like traveling from NYC to the 'burbs on Thanksgiving weekend. I cannot imagine trying to deal with the same travel insanity, plus 12-15 hours in the air, plus jetlag, plus only being at your destination for 36 hours, plus having no experience with the holiday in question at all.
2) Others are right, definitely allot plenty of time to get to/from JFK.
3) Don't underestimate the holiday rush even if you don't come for Thanksgiving. November is when the stores gear up for Holiday Shoppers and things like The Radio City Christmas Spectacular start going on. Tourists gradually become thicker and thicker on the ground starting somewhere between Halloween and the Marathon, and by Thanksgiving I wouldn't even go to Midtown on a weekend.
posted by Sara C. at 5:17 PM on October 5, 2011 [3 favorites]
Yes, you should go!
I did the the rough equivalent two weekends a row (Cambridge, England -> Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, England -> Philly, PA), and made it to my Friday and Monday classes.
The first weekend was awesome, by the second I was more than a bit worn out.
posted by Metasyntactic at 5:24 PM on October 5, 2011
I did the the rough equivalent two weekends a row (Cambridge, England -> Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, England -> Philly, PA), and made it to my Friday and Monday classes.
The first weekend was awesome, by the second I was more than a bit worn out.
posted by Metasyntactic at 5:24 PM on October 5, 2011
1) If the weekend in question is USA Thanksgiving, then FUCK NO. JUST NO.
This, a thousand times.
Otherwise, sure, sounds fun. If money is not an issue then I can't imagine why not do it. Take a cab to JFK on the way back to make the most of your Sunday.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 5:46 PM on October 5, 2011
This, a thousand times.
Otherwise, sure, sounds fun. If money is not an issue then I can't imagine why not do it. Take a cab to JFK on the way back to make the most of your Sunday.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 5:46 PM on October 5, 2011
Just flew to NY through JFK. Stayed Friday night in King Islanf, rode the train into the city Saturday morning, used the Gray Line tour to ser the city including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, World Trade Center, Wall Street protest site, and various other places around the city, flew home Sunday night. No problem. You can definitely do this.
posted by tamitang at 6:07 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by tamitang at 6:07 PM on October 5, 2011
My husband (then boyfriend) did that - I flew from SF, he flew from Heathrow, and we met in the middle for a weekend. His flight was super late (2-3 hours) on the way in, but that really didn't matter.
It was one of the best weekends ever. You should go.
You'll be tired. But it'll be worth it.
posted by guster4lovers at 7:05 PM on October 5, 2011
It was one of the best weekends ever. You should go.
You'll be tired. But it'll be worth it.
posted by guster4lovers at 7:05 PM on October 5, 2011
Oh, yes, go! I love New York in small doses, it forces you to prioritize. If I were you I would make Sunday nothing but lazy delicious brunch. Go and have fun with your family and catch up on your sleep on the next weekend.
1) If the weekend in question is USA Thanksgiving, then FUCK NO. JUST NO.
OH YEAH IF THIS IS THE CASE, ABORT ABORT ABORT.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2011
1) If the weekend in question is USA Thanksgiving, then FUCK NO. JUST NO.
OH YEAH IF THIS IS THE CASE, ABORT ABORT ABORT.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2011
Do it! Sure, it could go wrong, but it's far more likely to go fantastically right.
I flew to California from Australia for about 5 days, with very little notice, and at great expense. Worth every cent.
posted by twirlypen at 9:00 PM on October 5, 2011
I flew to California from Australia for about 5 days, with very little notice, and at great expense. Worth every cent.
posted by twirlypen at 9:00 PM on October 5, 2011
Less than a day is enough time to make it worth it, so I say you have a lot of time. Let's keep in mind that there are people in this world who fly halfway across the world and back for the frequent flier miles and go back home on the next flight.
posted by wierdo at 12:21 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by wierdo at 12:21 AM on October 6, 2011
It's really fun to do silly things like this. I just chatted with a Japanese chap who flew from Geneva to Tokyo for the evening -- to give a speech at a wedding -- and back the next day.
Do it. It's fun.
posted by nickrussell at 1:13 AM on October 6, 2011
Do it. It's fun.
posted by nickrussell at 1:13 AM on October 6, 2011
My SO went from the UK to Australia (Australia!) for a single day for a family birthday (without telling anyone she was going). She's still glad she went and it makes for a good story. Do it!
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:13 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:13 AM on October 6, 2011
Response by poster: Hi!
Thanks for all the answers. Just to address concerns:
If my flight is delayed on the way there obviously that'll annoying but not the end of the world. If it's delayed on the way back I might miss the training day but I will definitely not be fired and school will get over it! A number of staff (including myself) got stuck overseas as a result of the Iceland volcano last year and the school coped so they can definitely do without me for a day if necessary.
eugenen: There are later flights out on Sunday but they get to London later on Monday morning and I can't really do that if I want to get to work on time!
I'm planning on doing plenty of research about sleeping on planes and buying eye-masks, pillows etc etc.
I've just checked and it is NOT thanksgiving weekend - it's the weekend of the 12th/13th which is 2 weeks before according to google.
I think I'm going to go for it!
posted by Lotto at 2:24 AM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Thanks for all the answers. Just to address concerns:
If my flight is delayed on the way there obviously that'll annoying but not the end of the world. If it's delayed on the way back I might miss the training day but I will definitely not be fired and school will get over it! A number of staff (including myself) got stuck overseas as a result of the Iceland volcano last year and the school coped so they can definitely do without me for a day if necessary.
eugenen: There are later flights out on Sunday but they get to London later on Monday morning and I can't really do that if I want to get to work on time!
I'm planning on doing plenty of research about sleeping on planes and buying eye-masks, pillows etc etc.
I've just checked and it is NOT thanksgiving weekend - it's the weekend of the 12th/13th which is 2 weeks before according to google.
I think I'm going to go for it!
posted by Lotto at 2:24 AM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I would definitely do it. You won't be on US time to make much of a difference in your schedule so it would be just like having a crazy fun weekend in London staying up late and not really sleeping, but instead it is in New York and you have mandatory downtime where you should try to get some sleep (IE sitting for 7 hours on a plane).
For my recommendations for getting sleep on a plane:
Earplugs
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Facemask
Cool air from the vent blowing on the top of your head
Ignore the Flight attendants when they try to give you stuff
Try to get a window seat
I hate trying to sleep on a plane mostly because as a profit generating exercise they try to get you to buy stuff and are always thanking you for flying with them. Just get on get situated put on the above gear and tune out from the world as best as you can.
posted by koolkat at 3:54 AM on October 6, 2011
For my recommendations for getting sleep on a plane:
Earplugs
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Facemask
Cool air from the vent blowing on the top of your head
Ignore the Flight attendants when they try to give you stuff
Try to get a window seat
I hate trying to sleep on a plane mostly because as a profit generating exercise they try to get you to buy stuff and are always thanking you for flying with them. Just get on get situated put on the above gear and tune out from the world as best as you can.
posted by koolkat at 3:54 AM on October 6, 2011
Can you definitely leave at 3.30 - what about detentions etc?
posted by mippy at 5:03 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by mippy at 5:03 AM on October 6, 2011
No big deal. I've been on a round trip from Central Europe to San Diego (3 flights each way). I've spent an actual 36h in the city. I survived. You will too.
posted by rom1 at 5:21 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by rom1 at 5:21 AM on October 6, 2011
Should definitely do it; Friday night will not be a problem at all, last two times I flew into the States from London I was so excited the evening I got there I was out until all hours, just felt like a normal day.
Monday will be a heavy, but try and get some sleep on the plane, knock back a few espressos when you get to London, grab a shower on the way in and you'll be golden
And, like EtTuHealy said, also a legend
posted by fatfrank at 7:31 AM on October 6, 2011
Monday will be a heavy, but try and get some sleep on the plane, knock back a few espressos when you get to London, grab a shower on the way in and you'll be golden
And, like EtTuHealy said, also a legend
posted by fatfrank at 7:31 AM on October 6, 2011
Many years ago I had to recite a horribly stupid monologue which, although trite and poorly written, could be basically summed up as: in 50 years, what you will you remember? Doing [insert crazy thing here] or [insert boring but "right" thing here]."
Every time I have followed this trite advice I've had a great time. Every time I haven't I've been disappointed.
I vote: do it! If it's not gonna cost your job then the only downside is a day or two of jet lag.
posted by AmandaA at 8:05 AM on October 6, 2011
Every time I have followed this trite advice I've had a great time. Every time I haven't I've been disappointed.
I vote: do it! If it's not gonna cost your job then the only downside is a day or two of jet lag.
posted by AmandaA at 8:05 AM on October 6, 2011
Response by poster: mippy: I have ultra-efficient detention stickers which I slap in kids' diaries to give them their 24 hrs notice (In this case the detention would be for the following tuesday!), so with any luck I can just give them those, hope my form class are well-behaved in afternoon reg and make a run for it!
posted by Lotto at 9:42 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by Lotto at 9:42 AM on October 6, 2011
Aaah, late detention was same day when I was in high school - I think you don't have to give notice if it's less than 30mins, or at least not where I went.
posted by mippy at 10:10 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by mippy at 10:10 AM on October 6, 2011
Response by poster: Late detention is managed by the head of year so it's all good!
posted by Lotto at 9:25 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by Lotto at 9:25 AM on October 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Wylla at 2:54 PM on October 5, 2011