Newsstand - Giant Pillows on Planes (and other weird things)

A funny one this week from Patrick Smith on Salon.com.

“… I’m vexed by the widespread phenomenon of adolescent girls carrying gigantic fluffy pillows onto airplanes. Granted it’s a helpful idea, now that many carriers no longer dispense even tiny, non-fluffy pillows. The trouble is, people like me are out of the club. Grown-up men can’t walk through airports with gigantic fluffly pillows unless we’re willing to get laughed at. We’re stuck with those stupid inflatable neck brace things. (And I wonder, do the girls keep their pillow for an entire vacation, or is it discarded on arrival and replaced with a new pillow for the trip home?)"

He goes after Sudoku and the TSA as well. You can read the whole story here:

http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/04/13/askthepilot228/

Grown-up men can’t walk through airports with gigantic fluffly pillows unless we’re willing to get laughed at. We’re stuck with those stupid inflatable neck brace things. http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/04/13/askthepilot228/

In the 80's, a Northwest pilot attached wheels to his flight bag. Other pilots laughed at him. Later, he attached wheels to bags for flight attendants. Other pilots probably thought the pilot was sissy. Eventually, a few pilots asked him to do the same thing for them. That pilot quit his job at Northwest and begun his own company. I believe the company is Travelpro (but maybe it's Tumi).

Years ago, men would not use facial moisturizers. Now they do. Some get Botox.

If a pillow is not considered a "small personal bag" like a laptop case but rather the same as "reading material" or "cane", both of which can be carried in addition to 1 carry on and 1 "personal" bag, then I'm going to start carrying a giant pillow!

If a pillow is not considered a "small personal bag" like a laptop case but rather the same as "reading material" or "cane", both of which can be carried in addition to 1 carry on and 1 "personal" bag, then I'm going to start carrying a giant pillow!

I don't think they count pillows as a carryon at all.

I sometimes travel with a pillow when I am on an overnight international flight. Mine though, fits in my carryon. I strap it into the place hanging clothes would normally go.

Flyertalk beat the Salon.com author with this vexing question by a full year! :)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543279&highlight=pillows+girls

I've wondered why myself.

Possible issues: fear of sleeping on a pillow used by others
allergies
inability to sleep a strange pillow
seeking attention!


So I'm thinking, I'll do the same thing........ not.

I've wondered why myself.

Possible issues: fear of sleeping on a pillow used by others
allergies
inability to sleep a strange pillow
seeking attention!

but for one that might not be so obvious---unless you've actually brought your own standard-size bed pillow:
C O M F O R T
Believe it or not, even United's first suites with the TWO pillow supplied only become deliciously comfortable with an additional pillow to rest elbows on.
I usually jam TWO into a pillowcase with extra cases inside so we never end up in contact with the case that's used to carry the two pillows inside. At the end of the affair....I just toss the whole collection, it's worth it!
And I LOVE my Travelpro luggage; among other advantages R, W, and I are always being mistaken for flight deck crew...

Just as a reminder though, if you plan on bringing your pillow outside of your carryon bag remember that you still have to put it through xray and think about what you're putting your pillow on at that point...

Just as a reminder though, if you plan on bringing your pillow outside of your carryon bag remember that you still have to put it through xray and think about what you're putting your pillow on at that point...

...thus the reason for carrying a supply of fresh pillowcases, either inside the outer case holding the pillows, or in whatever other luggage you have.
On a related note: considering that rollaboards stored there are dragged through muddy streets, and pigeon droppings and whatever else, have a thought about what you toss so trustingly into overhead bins...:( :eek:

Flyertalk beat the Salon.com author with this vexing question by a full year! :)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543279&highlight=pillows+girlsGuess where the salon.com author got the idea for his story. ;)

I use a compression bag to stuff my pillow into when I haul it on my longhaul flights. It works like a charm.

I carry a shocking pink cooshie (oblong pillow that squishes) on overnight flights. I put velcro straps on it and it attaches to my roller bag so I don't have to carry it or lose it. The only problem I have had is when I took it on board a dive boat at Sharm El Sheik and the security guard (just like going through the airport security) asked me what it was. The dive trip was a three dive trip and I wanted to nap on the way back.