Comments on: How Do You Sleep (on a plane?)

By: joe

joe — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:20:32 +0000

Dreamhelmet combination sleepmask sound blocking pillow. This covers most of your requirements. A neck pillow would be a good addition (although the Dreamhelmet gives some neck support). A window seat is good, and an airline blanket completes the kit. Here is what the Washington Post had to say:

from The Washington Post Travel Section article by K.C. Summers - June 11, 2000:
“… Testing ground: A seven-hour evening flight in a middle seat in coach from Washington Dulles to London's Heathrow Airport.

Testing procedure: As soon as the flight attendant collected my dinner tray, I strapped on my Dreamhelmet (Teddybear model).

“… Say what you will about its appearance, the Dreamhelmet (not available in stores!) does a creditable job blocking light and sound - kind of a sensory deprivation tank for your head.
It comes with complimentary earplugs for even more sound-proofing.

“… The felt lining was soft against my skin…very soft…
Annoyingly, my seatmate was nudging me. “We're landing in 10 minutes.”
I fumbled with my chin strap, blinking like a mole in the morning light. “Jeez. Aren't they even serving breakfast?”
“We already had it. Your thing worked!”
Result: the Dreamhelmet, goofy as it looks, is worth its weight in psychotropic drugs.
I arrived in London relaxed and rested, having had four hours' uninterrupted sleep - a first for me on a transatlantic flight. And once there, I was able to hit the ground running because I had no jet lag to contend with - another first.
The Dreamhelmet is also small, squishable and lightweight (about 7 ounces) and stuffs into a carry-on easily… “

The earplugs are located in one of the secret pocket made to hide money, credit card, valuables (rings, jewelry, pills, etc)

By: Patty

Patty — Sat, 24 May 2008 00:44:42 +0000

On the flight home from Barcelona last week, I lucked into a 3-across all to myself.

That did the trick jes' fine.

Well, actually I think it was the combination of the real estate + the verrrry late dinner the night prior with my European teammates.

Usually I can't sleep for anything on a plane.

By: manager mom

manager mom — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:10:03 +0000

Two (2) gin and tonics for flights under 2 hours. Lunesta or Restoril for flights 2-5 hours. Ambien + the two (2) gin and tonics mentioned before for anything overseas.

By: Stamford Talk

Stamford Talk — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:30:55 +0000

My system is very close to yours, but IF you get the window seat, add two things:
–a sweatshirt to serve as a pillow and
–another blanket or sweatshirt between your knee and the wall.
I added those 2 to your system and got a nice 4 hours of sleep to and from Brazil. A little sleeping meds are also nice on a longer trip.

I laughed when I saw your title, bc when I got home from that trip I told people about my special system too. Oh, but I use earplugs and not headphones!

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:50:19 +0000

For work I have found the best way to get confortable in the plane. I find that I can take off my helmet and place it on top of my reserve parachute and rest my head on that ballistic pillow and sleep until they give the 10 minute warning…..also since most of our jumps are at 3 AM I find it very easy to fall sleep. This plane ride equals sleep conditioning has transfered into my commercial fly experiences where as soon as the engines come one my head is tilted back and I am snoring.

By: Always Home and Uncool

Always Home and Uncool — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:03:41 +0000

Pre-flight, I meant. Sorry, I've been reinstalling XP on the home computer and I'm a quite dizzy. Hmm … coma coming on ….

By: Always Home and Uncool

Always Home and Uncool — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:00:10 +0000

Two pre-martinis martinis work like a charm.