Flying “The Morning After?”

 Years ago I was working a flight out of Las Vegas when, as we were getting ready to land, I noticed that one of the passengers seemed to be unconscious. He wasn’t traveling with anyone (so no one could speak for him) and I had no idea what was wrong with him—it could have been anything. But as I and four other flight attendants gathered around trying to revive him, he woke up, totally confused and indignant—just as we were unbuttoning his shirt (to prepare for CPR).

Turns out he’d been partying hard for a couple of days (starring in his own version of “The Hangover” with his buddies) hadn’t eaten much, and had then taken some kind of prescribed stomach medication. The combination of alcohol, medication, and an empty stomach had caused him to pass out.

So if you’ve had too much (holiday) cheer and are not feeling great when you need to board a plane, here are a few things you can do to make it better.

• Even if you are not thirsty, buy a large bottle of water (and maybe some aspirin) after you go through security and drink A LOT! Not only will your body appreciate it, it will hydrate your brain.
• Even if you are not hungry, buy a snack to take aboard, but make it light (even if there is food onboard, it may take a while for the flight attendants to get to you). Food will help to absorb some of the alcohol, but anything too heavy, too spicy, or too rich will just make you feel worse.
• If you don’t feel well when you board, explain the situation to a flight attendant—especially if you’re traveling alone. At least if you do get sick, he or she will know what the problem is.
• Don’t think the “hair of the dog” will make you feel better—it won’t. Every drink you have in the air packs a double wallop because the air is thin and you brain is getting less oxygen.
• Don’t make the mistake of taking meds you happen to have with you because you think they’ll help. Meds and alcohol don’t mix. In fact the combination can be downright dangerous.
• Once you’re on board, try to take a nap. There’s a reason why people talk about “sleeping it off.” You’ll feel much better when you wake up.
• Sit as close to the front of the plane as possible. If there’s any turbulence it will be less bumpy up front. Ask the agent if there are any extra open seats, or you may be lucky enough to even get a row to yourself to relax. Being able to have a bit of space always makes the flight better.
• If you feel REALLY BAD, try to rebook on a later flight. No one wants to be up in the air when they’re feeling sick, with the thin air, turbulence, cabin pressure, and lack of oxygen… it could make you feel significantly worse.