Flying for 12/14 hours..
Discussion
Chaps
Following on from the Vietnam thread, does anyone have any have any tips on the health aspect of sitting for such along time?
As an office worker I am used to sitting for a few hours (admittedly not healthy to sit for so long, and I am making more of an effort to stand up more often!) but occasionally I do get a pain in my left leg (from around 1/2 way up the calf and in my thigh (and sometimes left buttock!). I am undergoing an assessment, but I was wondering if you had any tips which would help when flying for such along time!
(Mods if this needs to be moved to health, please feel free to move it!)
Following on from the Vietnam thread, does anyone have any have any tips on the health aspect of sitting for such along time?
As an office worker I am used to sitting for a few hours (admittedly not healthy to sit for so long, and I am making more of an effort to stand up more often!) but occasionally I do get a pain in my left leg (from around 1/2 way up the calf and in my thigh (and sometimes left buttock!). I am undergoing an assessment, but I was wondering if you had any tips which would help when flying for such along time!
(Mods if this needs to be moved to health, please feel free to move it!)
The most important thing is to get an aisle seat. When you're not obstructing the trolly dollys get up and walk up and down stretching your legs, stand at the back by the bogs for a bit if possible. BUT, make sure you don't do this if turbulence seems possible - make sure you're belted in if this is the case. Nothing to worry about, but just common sense many people seem to lack.
The most important thing is to get a window seat - that way you can lean against the window and get some sleep without the trolley dollies whacking you with the carts every time they go past. Also people who get up and walk about will then knock you and lean against you as they go up and down and get in people's way.
Get up and walk about (if you can call it that). On a flight back from the USA a couple of months ago I was tired, depressed, uncomfortable and felt generally ill. Was so plssed off I specified a window seat and sat completely still for the full 10 hour flight.
I used to think the 'get up a walk around / in-flight exercises' mentality was a bit pointless, until I tried to stand up.
Numb legs and I had to walk off the flight bare footed because my feet had swelled up so much I couldn't get my shoes back on.
Never again!
I used to think the 'get up a walk around / in-flight exercises' mentality was a bit pointless, until I tried to stand up.
Numb legs and I had to walk off the flight bare footed because my feet had swelled up so much I couldn't get my shoes back on.
Never again!
I'd vote for the aisle seat as well, and if you can get the seats by the emergency exit so you you can stretch out all the better.
If you're worried about DVT then a couple of aspirin won't do any harm, and don't booze too much to knock yourself out.
I find a hefty meal before flying helps me catch some z's, although I never get much on the way out. (Must be a big kid and get too excited about the adventure ahead).
If you're flying out with Thai air then they're pretty decent at getting round with the water/juice which is nice.
I was out there in January and had a wicked time, although preferred Cambodia to Vietnam.
If you're worried about DVT then a couple of aspirin won't do any harm, and don't booze too much to knock yourself out.
I find a hefty meal before flying helps me catch some z's, although I never get much on the way out. (Must be a big kid and get too excited about the adventure ahead).
If you're flying out with Thai air then they're pretty decent at getting round with the water/juice which is nice.
I was out there in January and had a wicked time, although preferred Cambodia to Vietnam.
The most important thing is not to get a middle seat. I could not face a flight of more than an hour or two if this was the case. That's why I'm always logged into the online boarding pass page exactly 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59.9 seconds before the flight time. And I usually have a quick look on Seatguru.com if it's an unfamiliar aircraft.
Edited by FasterFreddy on Thursday 16th September 17:19
Targarama said:
Condi said:
Window seat, go to sleep for a bit.
I say aisle, you say window - funny old world. Guess the OP will have to decide for himself. Personally I don't like being trapped as I'm hyperactive and like to get up when I want without inconveniencing anyone.What you really need is a window seat but next to an hyperactive chap like Targarama so that you get the best of both worlds - sleep when you like and easy access as you neighbour is likely awake or chasing the trolley dolleys...
PS: If you talk really nicely to the trolley dolleys they may let you go sit in the first class kitchen and snack on the good stuff...it worked when I was young but now I'm not so sure...
I'm off to Houston on Sunday, +/- 10 hours. I used to travel long haul a lot and usually went for a window seat as i never flew sober and slept lots (although nothing worse than waking up hungover and realising you still have 8 hours to go 
).
Not sure this time but i may opt for a middle aisle seat (if you know what i mean), so i can get out, and if the person next to me needs to get out and i'm kipping they have the option of going the other side.
I also used to upgrade a lot with my points but have only started travelling again recently so don't have enough yet
Although it won't be long as i've just made Silver Wing (KLM), after 20 flights in 6 weeks!!
). Not sure this time but i may opt for a middle aisle seat (if you know what i mean), so i can get out, and if the person next to me needs to get out and i'm kipping they have the option of going the other side.
I also used to upgrade a lot with my points but have only started travelling again recently so don't have enough yet
Although it won't be long as i've just made Silver Wing (KLM), after 20 flights in 6 weeks!!lambysdad said:
Not sure this time but i may opt for a middle aisle seat (if you know what i mean), so i can get out, and if the person next to me needs to get out and i'm kipping they have the option of going the other side.
That only works on 2-2-2 configurations. Mostly they're 3 or 4 in the middle, especially long haul. Unless you're flying J/F of course 
I like a window, mostly because nobody is going to climb over me to go to the toilet, and nobody passing food/drinks/rubbish over me.
Dino D said:
Targarama said:
Condi said:
Window seat, go to sleep for a bit.
I say aisle, you say window - funny old world. Guess the OP will have to decide for himself. Personally I don't like being trapped as I'm hyperactive and like to get up when I want without inconveniencing anyone.What you really need is a window seat but next to an hyperactive chap like Targarama so that you get the best of both worlds - sleep when you like and easy access as you neighbour is likely awake or chasing the trolley dolleys...
PS: If you talk really nicely to the trolley dolleys they may let you go sit in the first class kitchen and snack on the good stuff...it worked when I was young but now I'm not so sure...
I tend to get 3-4 hours sleep on the return from US West Coast in economy - about all I could get in any seat including Upper with all the tannoy crap and "sorry we're out of chicken" going on. Being 6ft 5 I can't stretch my legs without standing in economy sized seats.
Sounds painful...being short has it's benefits then.
They really need to devise a system like the cards you hang on the hotel doors that say' Yes please wake me I like airline food' and 'No let me sleep, I ate something already thanks'. Nothing worse than being woken up to eat when you are not hungry or they pass you buy and you get no food but are really hungry!
Virgin claim to get around this by selling you the meals so that you choose when you want to eat - fair enough. I can't remeMber which Virgin route though as I read that in Bransons book...
They really need to devise a system like the cards you hang on the hotel doors that say' Yes please wake me I like airline food' and 'No let me sleep, I ate something already thanks'. Nothing worse than being woken up to eat when you are not hungry or they pass you buy and you get no food but are really hungry!
Virgin claim to get around this by selling you the meals so that you choose when you want to eat - fair enough. I can't remeMber which Virgin route though as I read that in Bransons book...
Puggit said:
Dino D said:
Virgin claim to get around this by selling you the meals so that you choose when you want to eat - fair enough. I can't remeMber which Virgin route though as I read that in Bransons book...
Sounds like Virgin Upper Class to me 
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