Aircraft Nausea
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Aircraft Nausea
After completing my ground training I had my first flight onboard the aircraft with my trainer today. Turned out I spent the morning throwing up, feeling dizzy and desperately nauseous - and as you can imagine I'm not happy. I've flown on aircraft larger than what I'll be working on (Qantaslink) and am not used to the turbulence that such small aircraft can experience.
I've been prescribed some anti-nausea tablets for tomorrow but I'm not too keen on spending the rest of my flying career on drugs! Any thoughts out there??? Would love some feedback guys.
Cheers
I've been prescribed some anti-nausea tablets for tomorrow but I'm not too keen on spending the rest of my flying career on drugs! Any thoughts out there??? Would love some feedback guys.
Cheers
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere
Nausea
Ladyluck,
Keep at it. It will pass. Yours truly had the same problem going through RAF pilot training. Some things that might help:
1. Never fly on an empty tummy - low blood sugar makes you more prone to air sickness - in any case you need something to barf up if you have to
2. Always carry a barf bag with you within easy reach - even if you don't use it, it will make you subconsciously feel better and maybe less prone to being ill.
3. Never self-medicate - always consult a doctor
4. Talk it over with your instructor; don't hide it - there are many more people with the same problem. If your instructor is unsympathetic, or unwilling to help, ask for a change. You may find that the older and greyer instructors are better at helping with this.
Lots of luck - keep the faith - it will be worth it
Keep at it. It will pass. Yours truly had the same problem going through RAF pilot training. Some things that might help:
1. Never fly on an empty tummy - low blood sugar makes you more prone to air sickness - in any case you need something to barf up if you have to
2. Always carry a barf bag with you within easy reach - even if you don't use it, it will make you subconsciously feel better and maybe less prone to being ill.
3. Never self-medicate - always consult a doctor
4. Talk it over with your instructor; don't hide it - there are many more people with the same problem. If your instructor is unsympathetic, or unwilling to help, ask for a change. You may find that the older and greyer instructors are better at helping with this.
Lots of luck - keep the faith - it will be worth it
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Australia
i didnt have this problem but a few others have. Rest assured its the combination of excitement and nerves!
Mint is very good in relieving nausea, so take some peppermint/spearmint lollies to suck on.
As 27mm said, always have breakfast and something sugary throught the day to keep you normal. Perhaps take some peppermint tea too?
You should be fine by your 3rd, 4th flight so dont worry too much. Alot of people are ill in their first week (vomiting ill) and some (eg: me) ended up with constant ear trouble for the first year instead. Rather take the
anyday!
Have fun!!!
Mint is very good in relieving nausea, so take some peppermint/spearmint lollies to suck on.
As 27mm said, always have breakfast and something sugary throught the day to keep you normal. Perhaps take some peppermint tea too?
You should be fine by your 3rd, 4th flight so dont worry too much. Alot of people are ill in their first week (vomiting ill) and some (eg: me) ended up with constant ear trouble for the first year instead. Rather take the
anyday!Have fun!!!
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Sydney AUSTRALIA
Ladyluck
Im guessing you fly for Eastern?
I wouldnt worry to much. I have been on the dash 8's for almost 3 years. Today was the first day EVER that I felt ill on the aircraft. Almost to the point of reaching for a little white bag myself. Yes, I was feeling dizzy and just not in top form today.
As said...this is the first time in 3 years of flying that this has happened.
See how you go over the next week or so. I am sure you will be ok.
I have only ever known one Fa that had to leave flying due to travel sickness.
Goodluck!
I wouldnt worry to much. I have been on the dash 8's for almost 3 years. Today was the first day EVER that I felt ill on the aircraft. Almost to the point of reaching for a little white bag myself. Yes, I was feeling dizzy and just not in top form today.
As said...this is the first time in 3 years of flying that this has happened.
See how you go over the next week or so. I am sure you will be ok.
I have only ever known one Fa that had to leave flying due to travel sickness.
Goodluck!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Thanks all for your tips and remedies. Reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this. Bit anxious about tomorrow now that I spent the day with a sick bag but I'll take each day as it comes.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: California USA
Had the same problem myself in USAF training. I had flown as a pax for years without a problem, and thought nothing of it. However, on my first USAF traininng flight I was sick. Very sick. Next flight, a little ripe. All flights after that, pretty much no problem at all. To echo 27mm, keep at it. I haven't been sick on an aircraft for probably 25 or 30 years now.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: LHR
Oh yeah I had the same thing! On my first flight last week I was sitting in my seat and feeling really rough. I got really hot flushes and just wanted to be sick. I has worn off and it's something you will get used to. Now I can walk about the cabin when the plane is banking and everything and I don't even notice half the time. Before I would go all dizzy and want to sit down! Just drink plenty of water and just ride it out and let it takes its course. You'll soon get used to it!!!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
If you fly on the dash I know exactly where you are coming from. If the problem is turbulence related though, its not going to get much better over the next couple of months. August and September I have found to be the worst with really strong winds. HOWEVER, once that passes its actually pretty good, you will almost everyday encounter turbulence on the dash though.
Like cloud nine stated only a few people have ever left due to air sickness being an on-going problem. The first few months are the hardest, stick it out though and you will really enjoy it.
Like cloud nine stated only a few people have ever left due to air sickness being an on-going problem. The first few months are the hardest, stick it out though and you will really enjoy it.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Australia
As C9 said, yesterday was quite a bumpy day around the place, and you normally only get a handful of days like that each year. It should only take a couple of days to get used to it as others have said. Good luck with the rest of your training.
PS. C9 was lucky enough to have an exceptionally skilled tech crew on her first day of line training, so it was silky smooth all the way!!
PS. C9 was lucky enough to have an exceptionally skilled tech crew on her first day of line training, so it was silky smooth all the way!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Heavens above
So...you'll get over the nausea? Yeah rrrrrrrrrright!!
Flew on the big jets for years with never a hint of nausea. Started on the dash 8's and believe me, the sick bag was my best friend. Barffed my guts up on a couple of occassions and cant count the number of close calls. Bit of a worry when the pax have to look after the FA.
Started taking travel calm tabs in the beginning and was wondering why I felt a bit spaced out at times. Well whilst I was self medicating they were suddenly withdrawn from the shelves after too many people experienced hallucinations! Well that at least explained the snakes in the overhead lockers and the rats running down the aisle that I kept seeing!
A supply of minties at hand did seem to work at times as did ginger tabs(not as many nasty side effects as those travel calm). As stated if you can get through these windy months you should be fine. Then again....there is the summer heat turbulence But thats a few months away yet!
Flew on the big jets for years with never a hint of nausea. Started on the dash 8's and believe me, the sick bag was my best friend. Barffed my guts up on a couple of occassions and cant count the number of close calls. Bit of a worry when the pax have to look after the FA.
Started taking travel calm tabs in the beginning and was wondering why I felt a bit spaced out at times. Well whilst I was self medicating they were suddenly withdrawn from the shelves after too many people experienced hallucinations! Well that at least explained the snakes in the overhead lockers and the rats running down the aisle that I kept seeing!
A supply of minties at hand did seem to work at times as did ginger tabs(not as many nasty side effects as those travel calm). As stated if you can get through these windy months you should be fine. Then again....there is the summer heat turbulence
But thats a few months away yet!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Yes I am flying for Eastern. I took some anti-nausea pills yesterday "Maxolin" and it seemed to work. I was ok until descent on my 4th sector.....but hey I was off home after that so it was definitely a barable day.
I suppose I'm going to have to keep popping those pills for a while, guess I'm going to have to find out what the long term effects are because I can almost guarentee I won't last on those dash 8's without them!
I suppose I'm going to have to keep popping those pills for a while, guess I'm going to have to find out what the long term effects are because I can almost guarentee I won't last on those dash 8's without them!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Started taking travel calm tabs in the beginning and was wondering why I felt a bit spaced out at times. Well whilst I was self medicating they were suddenly withdrawn from the shelves after too many people experienced hallucinations! Well that at least explained the snakes in the overhead lockers and the rats running down the aisle that I kept seeing!
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Mind in the gutter, knickers in a twist.
I took some anti-nausea pills yesterday "Maxolin" and it seemed to work. I was ok until descent on my 4th sector.....but hey I was off home after that so it was definitely a barable day.
I suppose I'm going to have to keep popping those pills for a while, guess I'm going to have to find out what the long term effects are because I can almost guarentee I won't last on those dash 8's without them!
I suppose I'm going to have to keep popping those pills for a while, guess I'm going to have to find out what the long term effects are because I can almost guarentee I won't last on those dash 8's without them!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
No I work for Eastern in Australia. As for Maxolin being prescribed - it was prescribed by an aviation medical expert situated at the airport. You're right though it does say on the packet that it may cause drowsiness or listlessness and if so it may affect co-ordination and the ability to operate machinery. I too, after reading that was a tad concerned but I tested it out on the ground first and all was good!!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
Hi Ladyluck,
Until recently I just completed over 2years flying on the DH8 with QFLINK. I am very fortunate as I never feel sick on any a/c or rollercoasters etc. My advice to you though after working with some people who have felt airsick is to make sure you eat solid meals and not do what many girls do and eat light salads at work. I personally find that salad can make me a bit dizzy in the air and I don't think it is a substantial meal to keep you going with the workload of a Dash 8 flight attendant.
When you first start flying on the Dash8 the service itself can make you dizzy enough without even worrying about the effects of flying regional in turboprop. I am sure that once you start to "get the hang of it" and feel more comfortable your nerves will settle down a bit and you will get used to the effects of flying - it does take your body a couple of weeks to get used to the effects.
Good Luck out there with Eastern. Regional flying is extremly rewarding and if you get to fly with my good friend " Cloud 9 - the blonde bombshell " I am sure she will give you some good tips - give her a kiss from me!
QFSKY
Until recently I just completed over 2years flying on the DH8 with QFLINK. I am very fortunate as I never feel sick on any a/c or rollercoasters etc. My advice to you though after working with some people who have felt airsick is to make sure you eat solid meals and not do what many girls do and eat light salads at work. I personally find that salad can make me a bit dizzy in the air and I don't think it is a substantial meal to keep you going with the workload of a Dash 8 flight attendant.
When you first start flying on the Dash8 the service itself can make you dizzy enough without even worrying about the effects of flying regional in turboprop. I am sure that once you start to "get the hang of it" and feel more comfortable your nerves will settle down a bit and you will get used to the effects of flying - it does take your body a couple of weeks to get used to the effects.
Good Luck out there with Eastern. Regional flying is extremly rewarding and if you get to fly with my good friend " Cloud 9 - the blonde bombshell " I am sure she will give you some good tips - give her a kiss from me!
QFSKY