Effect of very long flights

Re: Effect of very long flights - Water supplies



Tamzen Cannoy wrote:

> In article <4617e6f7$0$16288$88260bb3@free.teranews . com >,
> "RAK" <raknews@gmail . com > wrote:
>
>
>>"Frank F. Matthews" <frankfmatthews@houston.rr . com > wrote in message
>>news:4617b5fb$0$24716$4c368faf@roadrunner . com ...
>>
>>Many long haul planes have a chilled water dispenser with a tap in a recess
>>near the galleys, connected to a tank or large water container hidden
>>somewhere behind. I have refilled my glass or a bottle many times. I have no
>>idea what the water is... hopefully they do not refill with tap water in
>>some countries.
>
>
> I wouldn't drink that. Studies on the safety of the water in those
> holding tanks have found coliform bacteria in concentration unfit for
> human consumption. They do not clean let alone sterilize those tanks
> often enough for it to be drinkable water. I won't brush my teeth with
> it either it's just not safe. I used to carry at least a liter of water
> to the airport from home. Now I just buy it at the airport. My health is
> worth the $6 or whatever when I fly 20-30 times a year.

I think that you may be confusing the situation between holding tanks
for the galley and tanks which feed the lavs. I have mostly seen the
later clearly labeled 'non potable'.

Re: Effect of very long flights - Water supplies

X-No-Archive: Yes

On Apr 7, 2:39 pm, "RAK" <rakn...@gmail . com > wrote:
> "Frank F. Matthews" <frankfmatth...@houston.rr . com > wrote in messagenews:4617b5fb$0$24716$4c368faf@roadrunner . com ...
>
> > DevilsPGD wrote:
> >> In message <ev289u$u1...@news . fr eedom2surf . net > "William Black"
> >> <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>

> Many long haul planes have a chilled water dispenser with a tap in a recess
> near the galleys, connected to a tank or large water container hidden
> somewhere behind. I have refilled my glass or a bottle many times. I have no
> idea what the water is... hopefully they do not refill with tap water in
> some countries.

As an official reciprient of "Montezuma's revenge", I would recommend
passing up any water which is not bottled.

> Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com .

Re: Effect of very long flights

> Besides, have you ever been on a flight where the flight
> attendant didn't bring water when asked?

Yes. Many times. Or else you are provided a lukewarm glass of
something close to 4oz (~120ml) of water. To add to the fun, some
airlines appear to be operating flights with about half of the FAs who
use to serve the flight.

Bring on your own bottled water - even if you have to pay the
excessive cost of an airport purchase - and you won't have to track
down and interrupt an FA.

Re: Effect of very long flights


"One Way Ticket" <TravelGuy@mailandnews . com > wrote in message
news:1175831397.389072.259410@y66g2000hsf.googlegroups . com ...
>> Besides, have you ever been on a flight where the flight
>> attendant didn't bring water when asked?
>
> Yes. Many times. Or else you are provided a lukewarm glass of
> something close to 4oz (~120ml) of water. To add to the fun, some
> airlines appear to be operating flights with about half of the FAs who
> use to serve the flight.

Every flight I've ever been on served the water chilled.

> Bring on your own bottled water - even if you have to pay the
> excessive cost of an airport purchase - and you won't have to track
> down and interrupt an FA.
>
Try pressing the call button...

I'm getting the impression that you've never been on an air-plane...

--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

Re: Effect of very long flights

> I'm getting the impression that you've never been on an
> air-plane...

No. But I hope to some day.

My first flights were on TWA Constellations. Back then a favored
seating location was a front window seat, from where you could watch
the color of the exhaust change as the flight engineer adjusted the
settings. And on occasion you could have a front row seat for an
exhaust gas flash which would illuminate the entire side of the
aircraft. Scaring the crap out of first time flyers.
Damn, I miss that aircraft. And the FAs in their pressed uniforms,
white gloves, and hats. The table (tray?) cloth which was placed down
before your meal. Hot food which was actually served hot, your own
glass salt and pepper shakers (not packets). Glasswear instead of
plastic, etc, etc, etc.

Re: Effect of very long flights

"One Way Ticket" <TravelGuy@mailandnews . com > wrote:

> ... The table (tray?) cloth which was placed down
> before your meal. Hot food which was actually served hot, your own
> glass salt and pepper shakers (not packets). Glasswear instead of
> plastic, etc, etc, etc.

No different today, except perhaps for the glass salt and pepper shakers.

--
Dave Fossett
Saitama, Japan

Re: Effect of very long flights

On Apr 6, 2:16 am, "William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk>
wrote:
> "One Way Ticket" <Travel...@mailandnews . com > wrote in messagenews:1175831397.389072.259410@y66g2000hsf.googlegroups . com ...
>
> >> Besides, have you ever been on a flight where the flight
> >> attendant didn't bring water when asked?
>
> > Yes. Many times. Or else you are provided a lukewarm glass of
> > something close to 4oz (~120ml) of water. To add to the fun, some
> > airlines appear to be operating flights with about half of the FAs who
> > use to serve the flight.
>
> Every flight I've ever been on served the water chilled.
>
> > Bring on your own bottled water - even if you have to pay the
> > excessive cost of an airport purchase - and you won't have to track
> > down and interrupt an FA.
>
> Try pressing the call button...
>
> I'm getting the impression that you've never been on an air-plane...
>
Or perhaps you've been luckier than some of us.
I find the response rate to a call button is around 35%.
I generally carry my own water (bought in the secure area). Even when
they serve water, it's in cups where if you don't drink it right away,
it's liable to spill on something.

Re: Effect of very long flights


"Rupa Bose w w w .rupabose.org" <rkbose@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:1175926364.271427.108730@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups . com ...
> On Apr 6, 2:16 am, "William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk>
> wrote:
>> "One Way Ticket" <Travel...@mailandnews . com > wrote in
>> messagenews:1175831397.389072.259410@y66g2000hsf.googlegroups . com ...
>>
>> >> Besides, have you ever been on a flight where the flight
>> >> attendant didn't bring water when asked?
>>
>> > Yes. Many times. Or else you are provided a lukewarm glass of
>> > something close to 4oz (~120ml) of water. To add to the fun, some
>> > airlines appear to be operating flights with about half of the FAs who
>> > use to serve the flight.
>>
>> Every flight I've ever been on served the water chilled.
>>
>> > Bring on your own bottled water - even if you have to pay the
>> > excessive cost of an airport purchase - and you won't have to track
>> > down and interrupt an FA.
>>
>> Try pressing the call button...
>>
>> I'm getting the impression that you've never been on an air-plane...
>>
> Or perhaps you've been luckier than some of us.
> I find the response rate to a call button is around 35%.
> I generally carry my own water (bought in the secure area). Even when
> they serve water, it's in cups where if you don't drink it right away,
> it's liable to spill on something.
>

In the past twelve months I've flown on long-haul flights on Gulf Air, BMI,
BA, Virgin Atlantic and Jet Air.

On every flight half litre bottles of water, either in the air-bridge or
just after take-off, have been distributed to everyone on the flight, along
with water, juice and booze delivered quickly on demand, and whenever
requested.

I've never seen a call light being ignored, even when a passenger had a
heart attack and half the cabin crew were busy keeping him alive while a
doctor was found.

Have you considered flying with a different airline?

--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

Re: Effect of very long flights

On Apr 7, 3:58 am, "William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk>
wrote:

> In the past twelve months I've flown on long-haul flights on Gulf Air, BMI,
> BA, Virgin Atlantic and Jet Air.
>
> On every flight half litre bottles of water, either in the air-bridge or
> just after take-off, have been distributed to everyone on the flight, along
> with water, juice and booze delivered quickly on demand, and whenever
> requested.
>
> I've never seen a call light being ignored, even when a passenger had a
> heart attack and half the cabin crew were busy keeping him alive while a
> doctor was found.
>
> Have you considered flying with a different airline?

I'm not sure I would determine my flight choices by bottles of
water....

I don't think I've flown any of those airlines recently (i.e post
water restrictions). I've flown Emirates, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa,
and of course a slew of US carriers. Some did give bottles of water,
but I can't recall which ones. I don't think it was entirely
consistent even with the airlines.

Re: Effect of very long flights



Rupa Bose w w w .rupabose.org wrote:

> On Apr 6, 2:16 am, "William Black" <william.bl...@hotmail.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>>"One Way Ticket" <Travel...@mailandnews . com > wrote in messagenews:1175831397.389072.259410@y66g2000hsf.googlegroups . com ...
>>
>>
>>>>Besides, have you ever been on a flight where the flight
>>>>attendant didn't bring water when asked?
>>
>>>Yes. Many times. Or else you are provided a lukewarm glass of
>>>something close to 4oz (~120ml) of water. To add to the fun, some
>>>airlines appear to be operating flights with about half of the FAs who
>>>use to serve the flight.
>>
>>Every flight I've ever been on served the water chilled.
>>
>>
>>>Bring on your own bottled water - even if you have to pay the
>>>excessive cost of an airport purchase - and you won't have to track
>>>down and interrupt an FA.
>>
>>Try pressing the call button...
>>
>>I'm getting the impression that you've never been on an air-plane...
>>
>
> Or perhaps you've been luckier than some of us.
> I find the response rate to a call button is around 35%.
> I generally carry my own water (bought in the secure area). Even when
> they serve water, it's in cups where if you don't drink it right away,
> it's liable to spill on something.
>

Any spill will help things by increasing the humidity.

Re: Effect of very long flights



One Way Ticket wrote:

>>Besides, have you ever been on a flight where the flight
>>attendant didn't bring water when asked?
>
>
> Yes. Many times. Or else you are provided a lukewarm glass of
> something close to 4oz (~120ml) of water. To add to the fun, some
> airlines appear to be operating flights with about half of the FAs who
> use to serve the flight.
>
> Bring on your own bottled water - even if you have to pay the
> excessive cost of an airport purchase - and you won't have to track
> down and interrupt an FA.
>

Good Lord. Walking back to the Galley is good for your health. If that
bothers you that is what the call button is for. Except for the short
time periods when they are in the aisles serving and will get to you
soon they are mostly gossiping back there so why not bother them?

Re: Effect of very long flights


<arouth@radiology.umsmed.edu> wrote in message
news:1175382351.656409.75900@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups . com ...
> Greetings! Now a days there are very long flights lasting more than
> twelve hours. One can go directly from Dallas to Tokyo or Chicago to
> Delhi. I am a senior citizen. I am wondering the effect of such a
> long distance flight on senior citizens like me. Has any member has
> taken such a long flight? Please write about your experience with such
> long flights. With thanks.
>
I don't know if being a senior makes much difference - there have been cases
of quite young people with DVT after flights.
I am now 60 (ouch, I still don't believe it) and have been flying UK-SE.Asia
(typically one 13hour sector, then a 1.5hr) a few round-trips a year for
over 10 years, plus lots of short haul and mediums (eg.
Singapore-Australia).

I try to walk around the cabin a couple of times on the long sector, and
also stretch & wiggle my legs a bit when sitting, but with no scientific
plan to it.
I don't really worry about DVT but feel better if I move a bit like this.
I also take low-dose aspirins (75mg?) before long hauls - one the day
before, and one just before the flight... if I remember.
I take window seats on daytime long-sectors as there are some great views on
my usual routes, but aisle setas are more sensible to let you take little
walks.

I have some knee injuries and am very stiff legged (joints rather than
circulation) after a long sector but it passes after a few minutes walking.

Beyond that... boredom. Alcohol helps but I assume that is totally
unhealthy.

I notice that some people manage to sleep and barely move throughout a long
haul - I would think that is not a good idea.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com

Re: Effect of very long flights

RAK writes:

> I don't know if being a senior makes much difference - there have been cases
> of quite young people with DVT after flights.

Just being a senior does not increase your risk very much. If you've had
cardiovascular problems in the past (especially in your legs, but anywhere),
your risk increases. If you've recently had predisposing conditions such as
phlebitis, your risk increases more significantly.

In general, if you can sit at a desk at work all day, or sleep in a recliner
for a couple of hours, you can sit on a plane as well. There's nothing magic
about being on a plane that makes it more risky, it's just one of those places
where you are immobile for long periods. You're often immobile during sleep,
too, so sleep is risky at any time.

Walking around on a long flight is a good idea, and not just because of the
very low risk of DVT. The same is true at home, though: sitting in front of a
PC for six hours without ever getting or moving around is just as unwise as
sitting in an airplane seat for that period.

> I take window seats on daytime long-sectors as there are some great views on
> my usual routes, but aisle setas are more sensible to let you take little
> walks.

I like window seats for short flights with things to see, especially flights
short enough that nobody is likely to sleep. For long hauls, an aisle seat
makes more sense, as it facilitates potty breaks without disturbing anyone,
and there's nothing to see out the window for long stretches, anyway.

> I have some knee injuries and am very stiff legged (joints rather than
> circulation) after a long sector but it passes after a few minutes walking.

Knee injuries are one of the potential risk factors for DVT, depending on how
old they are. This is because any injury raises the possibility of bleeding,
which in turn raises the possibility of clotting. If it's just a knee that is
messed up and doesn't work quite right (but hasn't recently caused any
bleeding), it's less of an issue.

> Beyond that... boredom. Alcohol helps but I assume that is totally
> unhealthy.

It helps you sleep in small amounts. It also encourages diuresis and a shift
in water between body compartments that can cause dehydration, though, and the
dry air of an aircraft is already encouraging dehydration.

> I notice that some people manage to sleep and barely move throughout a long
> haul - I would think that is not a good idea.

It's no more risky in flight than in bed.

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Re: Effect of very long flights


"Mxsmanic" <mxsmanic@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:36o713trk7ccgvdr1snfu1p2u3emfa7b4b@4ax . com ...
> RAK writes:
>
<cut>

>> I take window seats on daytime long-sectors as there are some great views
>> on
>> my usual routes, but aisle setas are more sensible to let you take little
>> walks.
>
> I like window seats for short flights with things to see, especially
> flights
> short enough that nobody is likely to sleep. For long hauls, an aisle
> seat
> makes more sense, as it facilitates potty breaks without disturbing
> anyone,
> and there's nothing to see out the window for long stretches, anyway.
>
There's a lot to see on some routes - I like alongside the Himalayas (esp at
dawn) and other mountain areas, central Australia, Afghanistan & Iran -
mostly dry areas with good visibility, and the option of Osama spotting.
Well, I enjoy the views anyway.
And being in the window seat means no-one disturbs you to get past... but a
good bladder helps :)

>> I have some knee injuries and am very stiff legged (joints rather than
>> circulation) after a long sector but it passes after a few minutes
>> walking.
>
> Knee injuries are one of the potential risk factors for DVT, depending on
> how
> old they are. This is because any injury raises the possibility of
> bleeding,
> which in turn raises the possibility of clotting. If it's just a knee
> that is
> messed up and doesn't work quite right (but hasn't recently caused any
> bleeding), it's less of an issue.
>
The latter - lack of meniscus/cartilege, chipped bones, torn ligament etc.
Moan moan moan.
.......

>
>> I notice that some people manage to sleep and barely move throughout a
>> long
>> haul - I would think that is not a good idea.
>
> It's no more risky in flight than in bed.
>
Not so sure about that. Your weight is spread evenly in a bed (which is
better padded than the average airline seat), whereas in a plane there are
major pressure areas on the back of the thighs and thereabouts. And doesn't
DVT tend to start in legs? Some seats have raised ridges at the front which
I find really dig in. And I think most people turn over from time to time
when asleep in bed. And I don't spend 13 hours in bed, typically only half
that.

Sitting in a chair at home or work has similar focussed pressure but is not
normally done 12+hours at a stretch (OK, except Homer Simpson).

I have done much more than 13 hours in buses and cars but usually with a
walkabout every couple of hours.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com

Re: Effect of very long flights

RAK writes:

> There's a lot to see on some routes - I like alongside the Himalayas (esp at
> dawn) and other mountain areas, central Australia, Afghanistan & Iran -
> mostly dry areas with good visibility, and the option of Osama spotting.
> Well, I enjoy the views anyway.

Those do sound like interesting views. Most of my long hauls have been over
oceans. All you see is a blurry mix of clouds and water all the way to the
horizon. Except for occasional pack ice as you go north, but that gets old
very quickly. I've never been on a truly long-haul flight entirely over land.

At the altitudes of airliners things start to look very similar after a while,
too, although I'm sure the Himalayas would stand out.

> Not so sure about that. Your weight is spread evenly in a bed (which is
> better padded than the average airline seat), whereas in a plane there are
> major pressure areas on the back of the thighs and thereabouts.

But pressure alone won't produce blood clots. Clots are encouraged by
injuries of some kind that trigger the clotting mechanism. That means true
injuries that bleed, problems with blood vessels that look enough like
injuries to trigger formation of blood clots, etc. All of these can occur
independent of the body's orientation. In a healthy person, there's no
special tendency for blood to clot just because he or she is sedentary, but if
there are any irregularities, clots can form in abnormal quantity or size.

> And doesn't DVT tend to start in legs?

Not exclusively, but often, simply because the legs are far from the heart,
the blood moves slowly, and there are many potential causes for clots. But
clots can form anywhere. DV = deep vein, and there are a fair number of
those. Deep veins are large and facilitate the formation of large clots,
which can then get stuck if they are carried somewhere else (such as to the
heart or lungs).

> Some seats have raised ridges at the front which
> I find really dig in. And I think most people turn over from time to time
> when asleep in bed. And I don't spend 13 hours in bed, typically only half
> that.
>
> Sitting in a chair at home or work has similar focussed pressure but is not
> normally done 12+hours at a stretch (OK, except Homer Simpson).
>
> I have done much more than 13 hours in buses and cars but usually with a
> walkabout every couple of hours.

There is certainly no doubt that walking around every few hours cannot hurt
and may definitely help. But even if you don't, if you're in good health, DVT
isn't very likely. Dehydration is a much bigger problem.

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