Why do so many people sleep on airplanes?

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Bizjet Flyer

I sleep on planes because I'm usually up at 3:00am to catch a flight. Between only having a few hours of sleep the night before, the general stress of travel, the thinner air, and the hum of the engines, sleep comes more naturally than trying to force myself to stay awake.

I do bring books on later flights. I sometimes have work with me, but I gave that up the first time I tried typing in the middle seat in coach with the seat in front of me reclined. Not so easy!

Fluffy the Cactus

I think you're pretty arrogant to assume that most Americans are lazy because some Americans sleep when they're on an airplane.

1. Not everyone works on a plane.
2. Flying is a stressful event (getting the ticket, checking in, getting through security, making sure your flight is on time, making sure you get to the airport with time to spare, etc. So, it's only natural that some people would be tired after going through a stressful event, especially if they catch a very early flight at, say, 5 in the morning.
3. Americans have many interests, because Americans are made up of people from all over the globe, and not just people born within the political boundaries of the United States of America.
4. Often times there isn't much *to* do on an airplane. It's only so large, you have to stay in your seat, so sleeping, particularly on long flights, is an excellent use of your time.
5. In parts of America, keeping busy isn't an important value. It's actually counter-productive because it takes away your ability to maintain your familial and social relationships.

So please don't make an assumption of nearly 300 million people because you observe a few people partaking in a particular activity. That's prejudiced to the highest degree and is essentially on the same level as "Black people bring crime to good neighborhoods" or "Everyone from Mexico is an illegal immigrant." So next time you want to post a question that uses a paintbrush to paint a picture of a broad and diverse group of people, don't.

Alicia H

Sometimes people have nothing else to do on the planes. Saying Americans are lazy is the dumbest reason I have ever heard. Americans aren't the only ones who sleep on planes. I'm 1/2 Russian and my Russian parent sleeps on planes when we take long flights. Did you ever think, some people don't have work to bring on planes? I work with property management but there is nothing I can bring with me onto a plane. Plus if I'm going on vacation, there is no work I want to bring with me. As for reading, some people get sick (motion sickness) and the thought of reading in a moving vehicle can make them sick (I know I get sick at the thought). Also, what about people who take medications that make them tired. I'm glad you can bring plenty of work on planes and then something to read but there are other people who can't. I personally can't sleep on planes (they aren't comfortable) but because I get airsick and can't read, and have no real work to do on planes, I think flying is the most boring thing in the world because there is nothing for me to do.

Charlie

Americans are VERY hard-working people and work many more hours than many Europeans. Sometimes they are just plain TIRED. Sometimes they are on vacation...and don't WANT to work on the plane. You cannot make sweeping judgements about large groups of people and have any credibility at all. Different articles have different outlooks on this, but all agree Americans work longer hours. One of the big reasons for this is RETIREMENT...unless we save to provide for our own retirement, we will have nothing to live on...so we work long hours to build up retirement funds. Anyway...because someome chooses to sleep on a plane, certainly has NOTHING to do with being lazy.

gromit801

Just because you're an obsessive compulsive that just HAS to have something to do all the time, doesn't mean the rest of the world is, including Americans.

If I'm on a long flight, I will read, talk to my wife, or if the direction of the flight means jet lag, I will try to sleep some. Sleeping is in fact, an important activity for a healthy mind.

Try it, you sound like you need it. Desperately.

MizHunnyBunny

Maybe it wears them down, hellooo, jet lag. Its also better than staying awake if you can't sit still for long periods.

The Pink Airplane

I agree with you on your first sentence - airplanes are horrible for sleeping in.

However, sometimes sleeping on an airplane is the only chance one may have for any rest for the following day. For example, a friend of mine is traveling to Europe this summer with a tour group and they are going to sleep on their flight to England so that they can begin sightseeing as soon as they arrive. In cases like that, I don't think taking a nap on the plane would be considered "lazy".

I personally think people in general are extremely prejudiced. To say most Americans are lazy is like saying most of the French are extremely rude or most of the British are uptight, which is so far from the truth it's ridiculous. There are lazy, rude, and uptight people in every country, but that doesn't mean that the majority of the inhabitants of that land are that way.

~Respect Me~

I know what you mean, planes terrify me. I guess some people don't think of it that way.

Steven

I bring work on planes, but then if its a long flight "try"to sleep after. I rarely succeed because it is so uncomfortable, so then I usually read a magazine I bought in the Air Port or play the in-flight trivia game if its offered.

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