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Original poster

Florida for the weekend - stupid idea?

165 replies

clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:12

There is an event in Florida two of my children really want to go to. The only way we could do it would be to fly out on Friday and back on Monday. I've not been long haul for many many years. Is it a stupid idea or is it doable? I'm in the UK

OP posts:
GhostFaceInMyWindow · 13/09/2023 17:14

It's technically doable but the jet lag would be savage so I wouldn't. A long way for "an event".

GrumpyPanda · 13/09/2023 17:16

GhostFaceInMyWindow · 13/09/2023 17:14

It's technically doable but the jet lag would be savage so I wouldn't. A long way for "an event".

Not that I've ever tried but jetlag won't be an issue going for a weekend. You just stay on your home schedule.

TheFinerThings · 13/09/2023 17:20

You just stay on your home schedule

Not very easy with the regime difference and even timings I imagine.

theresnolimits · 13/09/2023 17:21

I’ve done New York for a weekend - flew back Monday on a day time flight and went to work Tuesday.

If there’s a will, there’s a way.

Allywill · 13/09/2023 17:21

When my sister was crew they used to work the flight out, have an evening and the next day at a hotel, then work the flight home. I once went with her for a break whilst my kids were little. I read a book and had a meal on the flight out, stayed in her hotel room for a full nights sleep, sunbathed by the pool after breakfast and flew back in the evening. It was great. You will have much longer so I think you would be fine.

Paintedtoenail · 13/09/2023 17:21

That’s a long way for a weekend.
My Auntie lives in Florida and we certainly could not visit her for a weekend due to the jet lag. It would be brutal .

TomatoSandwiches · 13/09/2023 17:22

It would be hell.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 13/09/2023 17:22

I know someone who flew to Hong Kong for the day for an interview. Bonkers, but not impossible.

would definitely be an adventure you all remember!

Trainstrike · 13/09/2023 17:23

Yes we've done it, it did take a day to recover after - how old are they?

CyberCritical · 13/09/2023 17:23

People do that kind of trip for work all the time so it's definitely doable just costly. As a general rule when the flights are that long and expensive most will stretch it to be as long a holiday as possible to make the most of it.

MysteriousShopper · 13/09/2023 17:23

How long is the actual event and will you be too tired to enjoy it?

Sounds crazy to me!

Minfilia · 13/09/2023 17:23

I’ve done it, but I travel a lot so jet lag isn’t really an issue! My body adapts pretty easily.

Plenty of people do New York for a weekend and the time difference and flight time is only an hour so why not?

Spudlover · 13/09/2023 17:24

I’d do it. I’ve done Chicago for a long weekend which is the same flight time.

Original poster
clpsmum · 13/09/2023 17:25

Kids will be 13 & 17 and would love for it to be a holiday but it really only could be for the three days unfortunately. It's crazy but I know it's on their bucket lists and they'd remember forever. Thinking it could be their Xmas presents

OP posts:
IrresponsiblyCertainAboutSexualDimorphism · 13/09/2023 17:25

Presume you mean fly out Friday, fly back Monday landing Tuesday morning? It’s doable assuming your event is reasonably close to the airport. The jet lag itself will be OK as you won’t be there for long, but if it’s an evening event it will feel extraordinarily late, and you’ll lose a night’s sleep on your way home, so will feel very tired throughout.

Flying home Sunday landing Monday would be insane, but not impossible.

TheFinerThings · 13/09/2023 17:25

Omg.
Time difference and event timings.

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 13/09/2023 17:27

At that age I would. They’ll sleep when they need to

Ylvamoon · 13/09/2023 17:28

Bonkers!
But you only regret the things you didn't do.
So if time & money allows, go for it!

Cazaletto · 13/09/2023 17:28

Libya floods.
Spanish floods.

Please don’t.

PickledPurplePickle · 13/09/2023 17:29

I once went to vegas on a Wednesday evening after work and was back at work Monday morning

it was exhausting but possible

MiniPinny · 13/09/2023 17:30

As well as other issues you only need a delayed flight to spoil an expensive weekend, and there have been an awful lot of delayed flights this year.

BirdiePlantaganet · 13/09/2023 17:31

I think it is entirely doable. I refuse to acknowledge jet lag if the flight is under 12 hours.

On the way out, you’ll get back 5 hours so won’t be tired. We fly to Miami frequently and just go to bed as usual ‘their’ time and get a normal night’s sleep and don’t really notice being tired.

The flight back is a bit tiring as you usually lose a night, but it’s only about 7.5 hours on the return and one night’s not hard to recover from.

JustforAlice · 13/09/2023 17:32

Yes you can but no you shouldn't. Have you not noticed the world is burning? And flights like that contribute to the cause.

43ontherocksporfavor · 13/09/2023 17:34

I wouldn’t. Factor in travel to airport , the waiting both ends, and to do it so quickly again on way back seems a bit crazy! Is it something you could plan next year or is it a one off event?

Quartz2208 · 13/09/2023 17:34

It will be brutal particularly landing Tuesday morning and then presumably going to work school

but doable