Should I skip the mid-flight stretching?

me ^ | November 20, 2001 | me

[Tymesup]

I've been stretching back by the lavatories for a few years now. Besides an inquisitive glance or two, nobody's busted my chops.

[null and void]

You must stretch.

If you don't the terrorists will have won...

[testforecho]

Well, I can't leave everyone hanging. Very few crowds today. Other people making connnections said there were long lines elsewhere. No problems stretching mid flight - no gang tackling, etc, etc. :)

[supercat]

(Hypochondria might be more of a concern for you.)

Deep vein thrombosis is second most common natural cause of sudden death. My wife died of it in March of 1999. Don't dismiss it so lightly.

[goldstategop]

On the lighter side, take a photo of Jill Hennessey with you. Or your sweetheart. That will cure the mid flight cramps that ail you and before you know it, you will be at your destination.

[July 4th]

Sorry to hear. My condolences. You're right - it is no joke.

I see no problem with the exercises, especially since people do have to get up to go to the bathroom. Also, if you're taking birth control pills or hormone replacements, there is a correlation between that and higher incidences of DVT. I'm not saying stop with the pills, but do get up and exercise. No sudden movements, no Arabic, you'll be fine.

[Clara Lou]

I'm very sorry about the loss of your wife.

I was dismissing the idea that a person should "exercise" on a plane. I still dismiss it.

[supercat]

I was dismissing the idea that a person should "exercise" on a plane. I still dismiss it.

Actually, I'd heard radio reports indicating that sitting for 10+ hours on a trans-Atlantic flight can promote DVT and that getting up and moving around somewhat is highly recommended. The "exercise" need not be particularly vigorous; what's important is basically that the person move his/her legs every few hours.

Seems like very reasonable advice to me; if carried out sensibly it won't cause any problem or distress for other passengers and crew.

[Clara Lou]

The person who initiated the thread said her trip would be two 3-hour stints. She can excercise all she wants between flights.

Planes are incredibly tight on space, particularly outside of first class. 1) Is she going to repeatedly climb over the people near her to get up and exercise? 2) The aisles are usually occupied by the flight attendants and the food cart. 3) Do you want someone in the aisle beside your seat exercising? I don't. 4) Ever heard of air rage? Given passenger anxiety since 9/11, I don't think I'd want to be doing exerises, irritating other passengers, and making them think I had a screw loose.

[supercat]

The person who initiated the thread said her trip would be two 3-hour stints. She can excercise all she wants between flights.

Okay, I'd missed that part. Three hours is not an unreasonable length of time to be seated. Many international flights are much longer, and it's probably a good idea to split any flight of four hours or more in duration into two sitting stretches with a walking-around bit in-between. Probably the easiest way to accomplish this latter bit is simply to get up and walk to the lavatory whether or not one needs to actually use the facilities. Since there's nothing unusual about using the lavatory in flight, such action should demand no particular attention.

[Teacher317]

Here's a good in-flight stretch for you: drop to your knees, face Mecca, and bow several times. Help stretch your diaphragm by loudly yelling "OOLOOLOOLOOLOOLOO!" The airlines and the FAA would, of course, protect your right to do so (and then profile some more grandmothers)... you'll just have to do the second stage of the exercise after the plane lands: sprinting past your fellow passengers through baggage claim and out to your car. =^)

[Clara Lou]

OK-- now I have a question. How in the world did you come across this thread? =)