Bus to Boeing consider this.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: united arab emirates
Bus to Boeing consider this.
I presented myself to the Doc at the EK clinic with severe lower back pain. The first thing he asked is , " What fleet are you on , Airbus or Boeing ?" , when I said Boeing , he said the clinic was aware of it as there are many with a similar complaint. The flight dech seat truly is a torchure device.
It especially significant , given all the ULH on this fleet. ( bare in mind when you go back to the torpedo tube to rest , you cannot stand upright in it either. So you duck walk and shuffle around to get to the bunk. You are unable to sit in the bunk as well. ..... and there are no other areas on board where you can sit comfortably.
The 777 is a great machine , but given the discomfort and deterioration in my health I would go back to the bus tomo.
It especially significant , given all the ULH on this fleet. ( bare in mind when you go back to the torpedo tube to rest , you cannot stand upright in it either. So you duck walk and shuffle around to get to the bunk. You are unable to sit in the bunk as well. ..... and there are no other areas on board where you can sit comfortably.
The 777 is a great machine , but given the discomfort and deterioration in my health I would go back to the bus tomo.
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: In the State of Perpetual Confusion
For my birthday this year, the family got me a book called "Cockpits of the Cold War" where some of the warplanes of last 40 years are reported on by some of the pilots who flew them. One common complaint about the Boeings (B-47, B-52) was how bad the seats were. They are probably using the same design.
I have had back problems for years and it has gotten worse since I've been on the Boeing. A few years ago I was sent to physio by the clinic and the therapist remarked that she had seen quite a few Boeing pilots with lower back pain. She got someone to take her into the simulator and had a look at the seat. Her comment was that we were all setting the seat adjustments wrong. She said to raise the back up as far as we could get it and extend the lumbar support as far as is comfortable. While it's not that comfortable, I have had less back pain since I started taking her advice. I have also used a cylindrical back pad (left it on the plane) and that helped also.
I have had back problems for years and it has gotten worse since I've been on the Boeing. A few years ago I was sent to physio by the clinic and the therapist remarked that she had seen quite a few Boeing pilots with lower back pain. She got someone to take her into the simulator and had a look at the seat. Her comment was that we were all setting the seat adjustments wrong. She said to raise the back up as far as we could get it and extend the lumbar support as far as is comfortable. While it's not that comfortable, I have had less back pain since I started taking her advice. I have also used a cylindrical back pad (left it on the plane) and that helped also.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 416
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From: uk
Quite right Gillegan.
Having stuffed my back years ago, shifting sacks of spuds around
, I have found that a/c seats benefit from a few moments of adjustment.
The fully up and out back and lumbar is a start but also the thigh supports need to be right, plus the angle that your knee joint makes is critical. As the song go "The thigh bones connected to the hip bone .......................etc etc".
The Doc in Auntie Betty's flying club also said getting up and "pottering about" for 5 mins every 2hrs or so is very useful just to re-jig everything.
The final pearl I was given was to suck your tummy in for 30secs + every 30mins or so to tighten up ones cuddly bits! In my case very cuddly so Mrs Alwayz tells me
.
Symetrical support all around realy helps.
(There is of course always the need for Mistress Whiplass to massage your back with her 6 ins stilletos whenever the PAIN BITES!
)
Alwayz
Having stuffed my back years ago, shifting sacks of spuds around
, I have found that a/c seats benefit from a few moments of adjustment. The fully up and out back and lumbar is a start but also the thigh supports need to be right, plus the angle that your knee joint makes is critical. As the song go "The thigh bones connected to the hip bone .......................etc etc".
The Doc in Auntie Betty's flying club also said getting up and "pottering about" for 5 mins every 2hrs or so is very useful just to re-jig everything.
The final pearl I was given was to suck your tummy in for 30secs + every 30mins or so to tighten up ones cuddly bits! In my case very cuddly so Mrs Alwayz tells me
.Symetrical support all around realy helps.
(There is of course always the need for Mistress Whiplass to massage your back with her 6 ins stilletos whenever the PAIN BITES!
)Alwayz
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 52
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From: Some where
I also had fair share of back pain,flying boeing for many years,last was B734.
doing between 60-80 sector a month. After every sector it takes me few minutes to stand straight with pain. Moved to the A320 with more or less the same operation,at the same time I start using an inflatable pillow half inflated positioned to support my lumper and it was like magic that problem and the pain,I would say 80% was gone.
Now flying ultra long sectors with NO problems.
Since then this inflatable pillow is my MEL as a NO go item.
This pillow coast only 4 Dollars,Its worth trying.
I hope this will help some of you guys.
Safe and painless flying.
doing between 60-80 sector a month. After every sector it takes me few minutes to stand straight with pain. Moved to the A320 with more or less the same operation,at the same time I start using an inflatable pillow half inflated positioned to support my lumper and it was like magic that problem and the pain,I would say 80% was gone.
Now flying ultra long sectors with NO problems.
Since then this inflatable pillow is my MEL as a NO go item.
This pillow coast only 4 Dollars,Its worth trying.
I hope this will help some of you guys.
Safe and painless flying.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: in exile
Having just had surgery on my back I can not stress enough a proper "back healthy" seating position. Knees not above your hips, back at a slight angle not to upright and a lumbar support. Dubai Physio sells a good one and you can pop it in the microwave to heat it up as well.
On another note, for those Bus guys going over to the Boeing take a look at the new FOM now call OM-A section on fleet transfers. It looks like the 6 months on type prior to the upgrade has know become 12 months!!
On another note, for those Bus guys going over to the Boeing take a look at the new FOM now call OM-A section on fleet transfers. It looks like the 6 months on type prior to the upgrade has know become 12 months!!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Blighty
Whilst some may not like the above username, please remember that, the user has been around for a while. Please complain to Pprune Towers if you like.
Whinging over please, back to the thread.
EGGW
Whinging over please, back to the thread.
EGGW
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 259
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From: here
Try exercising the muscles in the lower back - you can find the exercise on the internet rather than me trying to explain badly. Don't forget the abdominal muscles either!! Also get up and walk around every hour at least.
In my experience the B777 seats at EK are not the best, the other boeing types I have flown with other companies had better seats - maybe it is just the seat that Ek specified which could have been better!!
In my experience the B777 seats at EK are not the best, the other boeing types I have flown with other companies had better seats - maybe it is just the seat that Ek specified which could have been better!!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 183
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From: Sandy Surroundings!
EK Boeing fleet - slightly uncomfortable seat, great routes, magic aircraft.
EK Airbus Fleet - slightly less uncomfortable seat, piffy routes, never flown it and hope not to at EK ......
The choice is not difficult.
If you are given the choice by EK to change from AB to Boeing , do not let the comfort of the seat influence your choice. A little backache from a 777 seat is a Small prise to pay for a better roster and lifestyle at EK.
Time for my daily yoga!
EK Airbus Fleet - slightly less uncomfortable seat, piffy routes, never flown it and hope not to at EK ......
The choice is not difficult.
If you are given the choice by EK to change from AB to Boeing , do not let the comfort of the seat influence your choice. A little backache from a 777 seat is a Small prise to pay for a better roster and lifestyle at EK.
Time for my daily yoga!





