Snoring on a plane

Being a pretty bad snorer is embarrassing in some situations but on a plane you just know you are going to be embarrassed no end because you are going to fall asleep and you will snore! No escaping that.

One teen took the trouble to make the way easy for her stepfather who is a legendary snorer by making care packages for the other passengers on their flight. What a great idea! You couldn’t really be mad with someone like that now could you?

The story was reported recently in Open Jaw and goes like this –

Alan Tattersall from Victoria, Australia, is a “pretty serious” snorer, according to his stepdaughter, who took pity on fellow passengers flying with him on a 32-hour route to Houston, Texas. She prepared care packages –complete with handwritten notes – for him to hand out on his flight. 

“I’d heard of moms giving out little care packages when they have babies on planes — acknowledging that their infants might be crying,” said 17-year-old Grace.

Together with the help of Tattersall’s wife, Ros, and a friend, Grace purchased chocolates and earplugs, and sealed up 10 tiny care packages for Tattersall to hand out on the plane. The parcels also included notes preemptively apologizing for Tattersall’s snoring.

“Enjoy your trip today,” the note says. “We thought you might be in need of a little assistance if Alan falls asleep — so hope this little care package helps. P.S.: The snoring usually only lasts a short time — while he falls asleep.”

Tattersall himself had no idea Grace and Ros were preparing the packages until they accompanied him to the Melbourne airport for his trip, at which point they handed them over and told him to pass them out.

Ironically, the 62-year-old said most people were too preoccupied listening to their own headphones to really care. The care packages came in handier on the return trip, and said the message made one woman “chuckle.”
Anna Kroupina, Open Jaw

Just recently I wrote about how Japan Air Lines is using baby emoji’s on seat selection when there is an adult and baby travelling – maybe they could use an emoji for this situation so you can pre-warn everyone around you.

If you are a snorer it is embarrassing to end up like this on a flight – so what to do? One health site says it is your position –

Position: If you’re sitting upright on the flight, even when reclining at a modest angle, you will be aided by gravity in reducing your snoring. The tongue often falls back and blocks the airway, but this is less likely to occur if you are sitting up. Therefore, even your position may reduce your chance of snoring.

So for all those who recline their seats immediately the plane takes off then maybe you shouldn’t if you snore. There are ways to keep your head upright without compromising your nap. One of the best options I have come across is the GoSleep eye mask. Here’s a description

If you’re literally nodding as you attempt to nod off, the GoSleep Pillow Travel Kit will ensure your head stays cradled securely in place. The eye mask attaches to the back of your headrest with an adjustable elastic cord, but keep in mind this feature may only be useful when there’s not a screen on your seat back.

So I guess this would keep you in the upright position and therefore less chance of those embarrassing snores when you drift off to sleep. I really like this mask – not that I snore! At least I have never heard myself snore. But I have to admit that on a weekend away in Vancouver my sister said I was not snoring – but purring. Yes – I like purring much better.