Tips for pain free flying?

[LWJ]

I have a small and not very well padded backside. I like to travel. Put the two together and I am in small agony for hours on the plane.

Any ideas how to reduce pain in my butt/legs/back?

Lots of smart folks here. I am all ears.

[Rot 911]

[MMiller]

I'm built the same...fly first class, whiskey helps.... I kid, except about the first class, it's a huge difference in comfort. Except on Air France....

[john walker's workshop]

I used to grab 2 pillows on the way to my seat, but I guess they don't have them anymore. So, BYOP.

[LWJ]

Like the cushion! Have done the booze. Done double pillows. Asking to bump the valium Rx up tomorrow - 5mg doesn't cut it. Planning on compression socks for the first time.

[gacook]

Just thank your lucky stars you're "small." Air trave l for those of us over 6ft is just hell.

[Cajundaddy]

Not sure about the source of your pain or length of your flights but we travel internationally quite a bit. Our latest trip was from Idaho to Santiago Chile via Atlanta, and then down to Antarctica. The trip to Santiago was 28 hrs total including a layover in Atlanta.

My basic plan for comfort especially on the long flights:

- Make sure I am wearing very comfortable clothes/shoes with fresh socks donned just prior to boarding.

- First class or business class whenever possible.

- If a long haul in Econ class, I might take a Tylenol #3 or NyQuil gel tab once at altitude to take the edge off so I can sleep some. I rarely drink alcohol on a flight and I want to be fully functional for landing and customs.

Best wishes!

[Rick Lee]

Business class whenever possible. I've done it on my last two RT flights to Europe and it was worth. Every. Penny.

[LWJ]

Funny. I am not small. Just my rear end. I have the torso of someone very tall. Short legs puts me a skosh under 6'1".

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by gacook

Just thank your lucky stars you're "small." Air trave l for those of us over 6ft is just hell.

Amen. I have taken my last “economy plus” flight. From now on its business class or I’m staying home.

[fintstone]

Same problem. If a short flight, I premedicate with Advil. A long flight, nothing helps other than to get an aisle seat and get up and walk around.

[stevej37]

More than 3 hrs is tough for me because of pressure on my spine after back surgery.

I've found that the window seat is always better for me. I can sit with both knees toward the right (or left depending on which side of the plane) without taking someone else's space. Sitting like that takes all the pressure off my back.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Amen. I have taken my last “economy plus” flight. From now on its business class or I’m staying home.

Same here. I’ll suffer in coach for a short domestic flight but anything more and it has to be an upgraded seat. I have a messsed up back and I’m 6’1”, 15 hours in coach ain’t gonna happen.

[Seahawk]

Inflatables.

Yup.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=airplane+seat+cushion&adgrpid=1330409640864720&hvadid=83150841267141&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=133959&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83150960541860%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=21878_13321954&mcid=129105cac72933b584b78995124ce94d&msclkid=0189247f7dd4137dad7d43c2bb29fcf9&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_5hawe1upca_p

[David]

I was prescribed Clonazepam by a Neurologist a while back trying to solve some dizziness issues. Not sure why he prescribed it. I took one and slept great but didn't see a need to use it.

I recently flew to Thailand and finally had a use for it. I slept great! No grogginess just good sleep. My new favorite flying medication!

[rwest]

Going a different direction here... I wonder if there are strengthening exercises that you could be doing to beef up your muscles to make sitting more comfortable? Maybe see a physical therapist?

[LWJ]

^^^this is a great idea! I sat next to a guy (Iceland to Portland) returning from the world weight lifting competition in December who said exactly this. Too late for me this week, but certainly something I need to do.

Shopping for inflatables now!!!

[wdfifteen]

I sat across the aisle from a guy who slept damn near the whole way from Cincinnati to Paris, and he threw his head back and snored so loud people were complaining to the flight attendants. The FAs said they couldn't do anything. People "accidentally" bumped into him walking down the aisle. Someone put a blanket over the guy's head. Didn't help much with the noise and nothing woke him up. I think he must have taken a sleep aid.

So, after that I do my best not to sleep on a flight. I never take anything to make me sleep nor do I drink alcohol. I do snore without the CPAP machine, and I never want to be that guy.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’m super jealous of that guy, I can’t sleep on airplanes. Even in the lay flat seats.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by LWJ

^^^this is a great idea! I sat next to a guy (Iceland to Portland) returning from the world weight lifting competition in December who said exactly this. Too late for me this week, but certainly something I need to do.

Shopping for inflatables now!!!

Time to pick up some “Buns of Steel” VHS tapes!