As someone who seems to routinely be a responder to medical issues on long haul flights, it would be helpful if patients carried a list of their medications and medical problems. I find that trying to get a meaningful history from elderly (that means older than me-75) patients is quite difficult in a cramped, urgent situation. I would estimate that my wife (an RN) and I have occasion to respond on long haul flights on about 50% the flights we take. These days I look around before we get on a flight to see who I think is going to be an issue on the flight and mention it to the aircraft crew when we board. We are lucky to be able to fly in business class, but unfortunately most of the in-flight issues seem to happen in the rear of the plane where it is quite crowded especially if we need to lay the passenger flat for treatment. Have been debating about bringing my old “black bag” of medical equipment with me on my flights but haven’t as of yet. Happy to be able to help when we can, but people need to realize there are extremely limited treatment options at 35,000 feet over the Pacific.
Thank you, Dr JB and your wife for stepping in when people need you. From the flight deck, we’re always grateful when a medical professional offers to help. Your point about carrying a medication list and medical history is a valuable one. A cramped cabin is a difficult place to piece that information together, especially under pressure. Really appreciate you sharing your experience.
Excellent comprehensive review. The one point I would question is classifying dried fruit as a "high protein" snack. I can't think of any fruit that meets that criterion. But it's a minor point in such a volume of valuable guidance. Many thanks as always, Pilot Nick!
Good catch, Kathi. Dried fruit earns its place as a slow-energy snack on a long flight, but you're right that it's sugar, not protein. The nuts and jerky are doing the protein work. Thanks for the sharp read, as always.
What do you recommend regarding setting a watch to the time of the destination as soon as the plane is airborne? Any difference in doing this heading eastbound or westbound?
I’m flying from Charlotte to Tokyo and usually switch my phone to destination time right away. This works for me on flights to Europe or LAX, but will the longer flight to Asia impact my usual practice?
Keep doing it Sunset Thunder. Switching the clock at wheels-up is the right habit, but the clock isn't what shifts your body. Light and sleep timing do. The watch just tells you when to use them.
Charlotte to Tokyo is the interesting case because it's a 13-hour jump, close to a full flip. At that size, eastbound versus westbound stops mattering much, your body is equally confused either way. So build the plan backwards from arrival. You'll land mid-afternoon Tokyo time and need to stay awake until a normal Tokyo bedtime. That means the first half of the flight is Tokyo's night: eat, then sleep as long as you can. The second half is Tokyo's morning: wake up, coffee, light on, no more naps. Walk into daylight on arrival and you're most of the way there.
Coming home is harder. You land the same afternoon you left, and the temptation is to crash. Same rule: watch on Charlotte time, sleep in the middle of the flight, then power through until local bedtime.
Any tips for someone travelling with a pet? Assuming that's even allowed on an ultra-long-haul flight (I'm beginning to think it shouldn't be, for the animal's sake), what considerations are there for (a) pets in the cabin or (b) pets flying as cargo?
*insert icon of pet and guardian looking at each other worriedly*
As someone who seems to routinely be a responder to medical issues on long haul flights, it would be helpful if patients carried a list of their medications and medical problems. I find that trying to get a meaningful history from elderly (that means older than me-75) patients is quite difficult in a cramped, urgent situation. I would estimate that my wife (an RN) and I have occasion to respond on long haul flights on about 50% the flights we take. These days I look around before we get on a flight to see who I think is going to be an issue on the flight and mention it to the aircraft crew when we board. We are lucky to be able to fly in business class, but unfortunately most of the in-flight issues seem to happen in the rear of the plane where it is quite crowded especially if we need to lay the passenger flat for treatment. Have been debating about bringing my old “black bag” of medical equipment with me on my flights but haven’t as of yet. Happy to be able to help when we can, but people need to realize there are extremely limited treatment options at 35,000 feet over the Pacific.
Thank you, Dr JB and your wife for stepping in when people need you. From the flight deck, we’re always grateful when a medical professional offers to help. Your point about carrying a medication list and medical history is a valuable one. A cramped cabin is a difficult place to piece that information together, especially under pressure. Really appreciate you sharing your experience.
Excellent comprehensive review. The one point I would question is classifying dried fruit as a "high protein" snack. I can't think of any fruit that meets that criterion. But it's a minor point in such a volume of valuable guidance. Many thanks as always, Pilot Nick!
Good catch, Kathi. Dried fruit earns its place as a slow-energy snack on a long flight, but you're right that it's sugar, not protein. The nuts and jerky are doing the protein work. Thanks for the sharp read, as always.
What do you recommend regarding setting a watch to the time of the destination as soon as the plane is airborne? Any difference in doing this heading eastbound or westbound?
I’m flying from Charlotte to Tokyo and usually switch my phone to destination time right away. This works for me on flights to Europe or LAX, but will the longer flight to Asia impact my usual practice?
Keep doing it Sunset Thunder. Switching the clock at wheels-up is the right habit, but the clock isn't what shifts your body. Light and sleep timing do. The watch just tells you when to use them.
Charlotte to Tokyo is the interesting case because it's a 13-hour jump, close to a full flip. At that size, eastbound versus westbound stops mattering much, your body is equally confused either way. So build the plan backwards from arrival. You'll land mid-afternoon Tokyo time and need to stay awake until a normal Tokyo bedtime. That means the first half of the flight is Tokyo's night: eat, then sleep as long as you can. The second half is Tokyo's morning: wake up, coffee, light on, no more naps. Walk into daylight on arrival and you're most of the way there.
Coming home is harder. You land the same afternoon you left, and the temptation is to crash. Same rule: watch on Charlotte time, sleep in the middle of the flight, then power through until local bedtime.
Thank you! Great advice that I’ll try to follow as I don’t usually sleep well on flights, even in business which I’ll be flying.
Any tips for someone travelling with a pet? Assuming that's even allowed on an ultra-long-haul flight (I'm beginning to think it shouldn't be, for the animal's sake), what considerations are there for (a) pets in the cabin or (b) pets flying as cargo?
*insert icon of pet and guardian looking at each other worriedly*
This one’s definitely a keeper!