A few years ago after boarding my flight to Los Angeles and getting comfortable, I put my hand in the seat pocket in front of me to pull out the plane’s safety card, and discovered it was full of loose used tissues. The cleaning crew sure flubbed their job. When I asked the flight attendant to dispose of them, he called in a man who, wearing rubber gloves removed them and wiped the seat pocket and tray table with a disinfectant.
That got me thinking about what other goodies I’ve found in my seat pocket over the years which shouldn’t have been there. I’ve found some benign items like toys, eyeglasses, an iPod, keys, and books. I’ve also found some not so benign items such as half eaten sandwiches, pacifiers, and used popsicle sticks. Of course, then there were the nasty items such as the used tissues, a plastic syringe (no needle) with medication in it, I assume was for an infant, and a soiled diaper.
Ugh!!! I don’t want to think about the germs and disease in those seat pockets.
According to Dr. James M. Steckelberg of the Mayo Clinic, experiments have shown some cold and flu germs can survive for as long as 48 hours or more.
The are many health issues travelers should consider when flying.
Dehydration can be a serious problem for fliers, especially on long flights. The humidity in airplane cabins is less than 25%, typically about 15%, plus the normal air ventilation on a plane is just 13 to 20 cfm (cubic feet per minute) per passenger.
Aircraft passengers need to drink fluids. Part of the problem for most passengers is what they drink. Many passengers prefer colas, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. The problem with those drinks is that each will actually dehydrate you because of their caffeine or alcohol content.
Personally I drink fruit, tomato juice or bottled water while aloft. These products will hydrate my body, counteracting the effects of the cabin environment.
Starting in 2008, after EPA tests found 15% of the aircraft they tested carried water which tested positive for coliform bacteria, which can signal the presence of dangerous bacteria like E. Coli., following an EPA proposal, the airlines upgraded their handling of potable water. Nevertheless, I prefer to use bottled water when I fly. Other than health and safety, I find it’s more convenient, as by having a bottle or two with me I can drink any time I want, without having to wait for a flight attendant to serve me.
In the air, airplanes are pressurized to an altitude of 5,000 to 8,000 feet. In that environment where air pressure is considerably less than at sea level, and where you may sit for hours at a time, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may occur, especially for those who’ve had recent surgery, a malignancy, blood clotting disorders, or women who are pregnant. If that’s you, see a doctor before you fly.
I always take walks down the aisle and stretch when up, to combat the reduced pressure effects. I also do exercises while in my seat. I extend my legs to the extent possible and flex my ankles and toes. I do the exercises at least every half hour in the plane and get up whenever I can.
Also due to the low pressure in the plane, our bodies and feet swell when aloft, so while it’s tempting to dress up to travel, we’re all better off dressing for comfort. Skin-tight leather and high heels are out. Comfortable outfits and sensible shoes or sneaks are in. In addition, sandals and flip-flops are a bad idea.
Not only should we dress for comfort, we should dress for safety too. High heels, sandals or flip-flops make it hard to move quickly within wreckage. Wear clothing made with natural fibers (synthetics or high synthetic content blends can melt on your skin in a fire, causing serious and even fatal wounds) to protect your skin from the possibility of intense heat and fire. Loose or elaborate clothing can get snagged on obstacles in a plane’s tight quarters, especially if there’s some damage.
If you know you’re going to be flying over cold areas, dress appropriately, and consider keeping a jacket on your lap, especially during takeoff and landing, when most mishaps occur. In cold weather, crash survival may depend on your staying warm.
I’ve discussed the problems of seat pockets, but that’s not the only thing to be wary of at your seat. Your tray table, and any pillow or blanket offered can be problematic too. I check to see that the seat pocket is free of debris, and if it isn’t ask the flight attendant to empty it. I try not to use the seat pocket, but to keep gear accessible during the flight, that may not be possible. I bring a plastic bag for my flights, and use it to stow any gear in the seat pocket and don’t reuse it.
Before using the tray table I use a sanitizing wipe to thoroughly clean it.
A 2007 investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed that airlines cleaned their blankets every five to 30 days. Just because your blanket and/or pillow is in a plastic bag doesn’t mean it’s fresh. I bring my own inflatable pillow and don’t use the airplane blanket while flying.
Come back next week for more healthy tips for those leaving on a jet plane.
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
