The TSA doesn't let you bring water bottles on the plane because you can't bring water bottles past security. The only safe water bottles are the $4 bottles on the other side. Also, the in-flight service gives you very small water cups on the flight, packed with ice. Two things for you to know:
- You can ask for multiple cups of water when the cart comes down the isle. I usually ask for one with ice and one without. Steward people are nice.
- You can bring a water bottle onto the plane. What? Hell yes you can. It just has to be empty when you pass through security. If it's not empty, the joyless zombies take it and throw it away (Recycle? Fmeh.). The drones won't even let you drink it in front of them even though you could have chugged it 30 seconds ago. Once you get through the oddly placed door frame, just fill up at a water fountain. This sort of thing is how I win.
* * *
I've been doing the water bottle thing for a while now, which isn't surprising since I've been winning for a while now. Now it's lessons on sleeping on a plane.
One new thing I learned on the flight back from NYC is that you don't have to be uncomfortable on the plane. What what? Hell yes you can. Studies have shown† that the number one factor inhibiting sleep on planes is acquiring a comfortable position. Here's the trick. It might be specific to the plane I was on, but I'm willing to put it out there just in case it helps you. I always have trouble making my neck comfortable when I'm on the plane, even if I'm next to a window. The wall curves in too quickly for me to get the right angle. My "go to" option is to put my bag on my lap and my hoodie (always have a hoodie on a plane) and another coat on top of that if I have one. It's comfortable enough for me to fall asleep, but I ache pretty good when I come to. It also makes me look weird. Or at least really drunk.
The new sleep solution is to sit as upright as possible. What what what? Hell yes upright. The trick is to get your neck (or at least most of your head) above the back of the seat. The seat I was in actually got softer up there and I was able to comfortably tilt my head back on a cushion. Moreover I found the sense of space up there relaxed me compared to the low cage to which I was accustomed.
My sleep number was 13-F.
fin
† - (‡) I surveyed myself on the flight back.
‡ - That symbol is my favorite because it is called a "dagger." This one is a "double dagger," Raph style※.
※ - Yes, I know Raphael used sai¹.
¹ - Sai is the plural of sai.
[Update 13 Jan 2008: A related list of foods allowed through security (secret handshake to Tyler C). And I forgot to mention that the service crew has refilled my water bottle on the plane.]
4 comments:
Nick, that post was great. Hell yes it was.
Glad NY was great. Let's grab a beer or two in the next week and swap stories. I want to hear all.
I appreciate this wisdom, but I'm still pretty sure that I will continue to struggle with my in-flight sleeping.
The real question is: why do you need a nap on the brief flight from NYC to KC?
Ah ha! Fine question, you with the wavy hair.
The key is the stop at MSP and the corresponding 2 hour layover. I ate spaghetti.
The most direct cause is that they turned off the lights; I was as helpless as a caged parakeet.
Also, it was sleep, be further viciously brow-beaten by Benjamin Barber, or write a paper. You Decide '08.
Nick this post is funny. I'm Annie's friend. Annie->Graham->Nick. You are attaining blogger notoriety. Also, Annie and I read "The Annie Parsons project" together over wine and giggling. Way to master fate with that one Frisby. :)
I am 5'2" and tend to curl up in the airplane seats, which isn't bad. Another suggestion for those with no adjacent seat partners or sense of shame: wedge oneself underneath the arm rests and snoozy snooze away. Unless the arm rests are the technologically advanced type that just flip up. In that case... You know. Just. Lie down.
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