fullback44 said:

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I mean the easiest way is to hold your nose and pop your ears to equilize the pressure. Not sure how to explain how to do it .. maybe look on YouTube

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Valsalva Maneuver is what you are trying to describe. But whether it works depends on if the ears are over or under pressurized. If you are clear on the way up while ascending, and then the eustachian tube gets plugged on the way back down, it can be from mucus getting forced into the eustachian tube. Using the Valsalva in that instance will just push the mucus further in. The guaifenesin acts (with proper hydration) to make the mucus more runny and easier to drain out and the oxymetazoline works to reduce inflammation and open up the sinuses and breathing passages to let them clear easier.

redaszag99 said:

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Simulated yawning sometimes works

Open mouth as wide as possible

It all depends on what my allergies are doing

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If you try the above:

besides opening the mouth as wide as possible, also put tension on your lower jaw, then force it forwards and down, as far as possible. This movement stretches your eustachian tubes. Force your lower jaw as far as you can, and this will often force the tubes open and thereby allow pressure equalization.

That's what I do when I fly, and since I have just under 2500 flight hours, I've done this a lot.

C

Good news. Bought the earplane plugs and had no issues on both flights today. I also took a decongestant because I was a little sick the last week or so. I did have plenty of fluids last night. The best news is I'm back home in Texas!!
Thanks for all the advice.