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On a plane somewhere between Buffalo, NY & Chicago IL: I am fortunate enough to be one of those people who, when traveling via plane, can fall asleep immediately. In fact, I sometimes have to force myself to stay awake long enough to let middle and aisle seat holders take their place in the row. But as soon as they’re settled in – even before the plane starts to taxi – I can fall fast asleep.
The downside to airplane cat naps is what happens to your neck while you are enjoying your bedroom in the sky. Some people are lucky enough to have some sort of weird skill in keeping their head upright while sitting & sleeping, but for most people, baby-heading seems most likely.
I took a photographic survey to see how people sleep on airplanes. (And since I’m not sure if there’s some sort of law prohibiting me for posting pictures of people sleeping in an airplane on a blog, I’m covering their eyes, just in case.)
Some did the hands-holding-up-face while
tray-table-holds-up-arms approach.
Others did the full on slump-over-tray-table lean.
I saw a family who coordinated their sleeping perfectly –
though the baby is probably the only one
who will wake up without a sore neck.
My neighbor to my right was the ultimate baby-headder.
I almost took video of his sweet head slowly falling down,
then the quick bob up, right before his chin hit his chest,
but thought that might be a little too mean.
If you’re lucky enough, you can travel while in a relationship
and get to use your significant other’s
shoulder-and-sweater combo as a comfy cushion.
(Damn that happy couple AND their comfortable sleeping arrangement.)
#36: The moveable headrests on airplane seats.
The small extra feature on the back of a seat can make all the difference in how your neck feels once you wake up from seated dreaming. Although they sell neck pillows, it seems just an extra thing to carry on and there’s always a chance you could forget it on the plane (not that I’ve ever left anything on a plane before… cough cough).
Best of all, your head and neck are not only supported, but you look comfortable too.
Or maybe that’s just because my friend Kate (who agreed I could use this photo) always looks this relaxed when she naps.
