this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2023
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I can fall asleep almost anywhere. I routinely fall asleep in the break room at work. Once, I was helping a friend fix his car, and I fell asleep on his garage floor when he went inside to get water.

But in a hot metal tube tearing through the sky, with my neck all kinked? Get out of here, man.

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[–] thelastknowngod@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago

I honestly have never had a problem sleeping on planes. If I'm tired before I get to the airport, I can often sleep through takeoff. On short flights I've only woken up after the plane lands.

For long haul flights I typically look to see what the local time of my destination will be when I arrive. If it's at night, I stay awake for the whole flight so I can crash as soon as I get where I'm going. If morning, I'll sleep the whole way so I can start the day fresh-ish. It really cuts down on jetlag.

For context, I got a remote job in 2016 and went full digital nomad basically until covid hit. I was living out of a single suitcase and flying once a month on average. I genuinely love flying. Pretty over the whole fascination with travel though.. In some ways it kinda ruins you. Now I'll only go somewhere if there are things I know I can only buy in the destination or if I'm going to visit friends or family. I have zero interest left for any tourist destinations, historical sites, museums, etc..

[–] Socsa@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 years ago

Alcohol and Benadryl. Its worth noting that I never feel like I've slept. To me it feels like I am just hovering on the edge of sleep the entire time, but my wife says I do sleep for a solid hour or two at a time.

[–] _thisdot@infosec.pub 4 points 2 years ago

I haven’t been on a very long flight. Longest was 2 hours. Every time I keep my Kindle ready. Have multiple podcasts etc. But right after take-off, I go off like a bulb and wake up only after landing

Something to do with a combination of pressure difference, engine noise and all. Also it’s pretty cold usually

[–] Forwhombagles@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

Personally, drugs

[–] TenderfootGungi@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I can’t. I book day flights.

[–] KittenBiscuits@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

I sleep better on day flights. They raise the cabin temp on red eyes and it makes me restless.

[–] x3n0s@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

Ambien. Anyway, I have a Zzzband "pillow" that's essentially a large eye mask that has straps to strap your head to the headrest of your seat, great "travel pillow" I've ever used and I fly about 40 times a year.

[–] FlashZordon@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

Like a baby. The older I've gotten I've gained the ability to fall asleep virtually anywhere. My wife is super jealous that I'm able to be asleep for an entire 5-7 hour flight.

[–] dreadedsemi@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

I like what comedian Ismo said, there are two types of people: people who can sleep anywhere and people who can't sleep anywhere. I'm from the first. You seem to be in the middle. I can fall asleep standing up.

[–] SulaymanF@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Melatonin helps. It’s a natural chemical your brain releases to help make you drowsy at bedtime and you can get it over the counter to help sleep. It also resets your biological clock which makes it helpful for jet lag.

That with noise cancelling headphones or earplugs, a sleep mask to cover the eyes, and laying as flat as possible (even paying for business class) all help.

[–] doc@kbin.social 3 points 2 years ago

Ear plugs, hat over my face, and fatigue. Sure I'm sore afterwards, but if i can sleep through at least half the flight I'm happy.

[–] Shadow@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Google credit card churning. Work your way through amex and other point systems. Get free / cheap business class tickets with lay flat seats.

[–] jarfil@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

With my face pasted against the window. After a while, all those tiny clouds look like a field of sheep πŸ’€

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[–] OhmsLawn@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

The only time I ever slept comfortably in coach was when I was younger and on drugs.

These days, whenever it's reasonable, I upgrade.

[–] Vlhacs@reddthat.com 3 points 2 years ago

Gentle turbulence actually helps, believe it or not.

[–] thomcat@midwest.social 3 points 2 years ago

Forgive the Amazon link

SkySiesta SNUG Travel Pillow - Head Support with L Shaped, Fiber Filled Sides. Patented Design. https://a.co/d/6cdbI2i

[–] Ironfist@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

A neck pillow and noise cancelling headphones makes the trick for me.

[–] UrPartnerInCrime@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Also, with the neck pillow, the open side goes back

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[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Alcohol and Dramamine. At least, that's how I do it so I'm not having a panic attack the entire flight.

I've only ever been comfortable in a small plane where I can see the pilot because I'm sitting like next to or behind them. If the engines cut out, those can glide a lot easier than a huge jumbo.

I have two wolves in me. One wishes he could be pilot. The other is afraid of flying.

[–] 667@kbin.social 3 points 2 years ago

You may (or may not) be surprised to learn that modern jet liners have much higher glide ratios than small planes (like a Cessna 172), though even the glide ratio of a Cessna is pretty damn good at about 9:1, getting 9,000 feet horizontally for every 1,000 feet of altitude.

All pilots are trained in engine-out procedures as part of their license training and, while unequivocally an emergency condition, is fairly benign until it’s time to landβ€”preferably on a suitable landing surface.

Face your fear and go on a discovery flight with a flight instructor at your local municipal airport.

[–] SapphicFemme@lib.lgbt 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

If I have a partner to travel with me, I can sleep by holding their hand and leaning on them or by laying on their lap.

I have also slept on semi-strangers lap once.... I'll give some context... We all were apart of an event ... Staff all knew who everyone was, so there was some implicit trust amongst us peers. As a result, I figured I'd ask this one person I was sitting with to hold their hand. The person later asked if I was tired & invited me to lay on their lap, so I could sleep. In any other travel, asking strangers to do such thing could have larger risks obviously.

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[–] vettnerk@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago

Before: Turtl Travel Pillow. It's not easy, but it helps.

Now: Business class. I fly enough to rack up enough air miles that a seat upgrade is affordable if not free.

[–] forvirreth@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

For me it's the gentle lullof the motor and mild sway of the plane. I just can't stay awake if I try

[–] jetsetdorito@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

I've never been on a long flight, but on overnight Amtrak routes I can only sleep with earbuds and music

[–] TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

The one time I slept in a plane for more than an hour was when I wrapped my head in a blanket and had an empty seat next to me to lean on.

[–] CrypticFawn@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago

Alcohol makes me sleepy, so I'll drink a little and then listen to rainstorms with my headphones.

[–] 99nights@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

I once read somewhere that it's something to do with the altitude or the cabin air pressure that make people feel sleepy.

Personally. I can't do it and I find it very uncomfortable even trying to get to sleep on those long journeys. Even if I do fall asleep, hoping to paas the time and it ends up not being long and time has never passed.

[–] CoachDom@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 years ago

I actually find it easier to fall a sleep on a plane - not that I have any issues anywhere else 😁 but as soon as I get on that plane, you bet I'm gonna get some zzz time. Even if its just a 2hr flight

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