OrionDriver

Hi Y'all,

I'm pretty new to 121 aviation and have been at a major for only a few months. However, I've noticed that after a few day trip I am frequently getting ill when I get home or on the last day of the trip. Usually it's a sore throat and achey sort of deal - and it kinda sucks to start my days off feeling crappy.

I clean my area with wet wipes every time I get into a new plane. I also drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy.

Have any of you experienced something like this? If so, what was your solution?

I realize the job is somewhat rough on the body, radiation, lots of sitting, dry air, and exposure to lots of people, but I was a bit surprised that I've been having this happen.

Thanks y'all.

C130driver

Are you getting 8 hours of sleep? Are you drinking alcohol after the flights? Serious questions, every time I push it up too much on trips and fly the next day I inevitably get sick.

Airborne (over the counter Vitamin C supplement) works wonders, but it's preventative only.

CL65Pilot2

I was flying 121 for a regional for about 6+ years. I would get sick often. I often would get a cough that was persistent and could hurt in my chest often. When I left 121 to fly corporate which was less hours flying and newer aircraft I did not have the health problems anymore. I have now been flying much less for a few years and still no problem. The only time I had those health issues was flying at the airlines. I sort of wonder if it is just flying much older aircraft with 1000's of hours on them.

I started another post here the other day about engine oil in the bleed air system and I am wondering if this was part of the issue.

Look at the post on 6/6 "Airplane travel is safe for infrequent flyers" in this same forum.

C130driver

Flying older aircraft absolutely makes a difference. I fly the C-130J now (about a decade old) after flying the older H model (1974 model.). The difference in how I feel is very noticeable after flights.

satpak77

Make sure you are eating right, to include hydration, and SLEEP. Sleep is like putting your brain into that charger and getting 100% back on the battery.

rickair7777

BTDT, but not anymore. There are a lot of physical stressors in 121...

Sunlight exposure, circadian disruption, bad food, dry air, etc.

One of the biggest factors is hydration...some people don't want to do the walk so they tend to not drink enough. You can manage it so you need to go at about arrival time, but you need to drink water. The dry cabin air sucks it out of you.

Try to eat healthy. Pack fruit and veggies if you can't get good food on your overnights.

Maybe take some vitamins, that will help offset the dietary challenges. Zinc supplements actually work quite well for colds, and regular supplements work WAY better in a preventative role than cold-eze works as a cure. Do the research on supplements though, don't just go buy some and start taking them.

Healthy lifestyle is important too...I do significant PT, and if I start to feel a cold coming on I just skip the workout for a day or two and that usually nips it in the bud.

I use light sunblock, seems to help with the fatigue.

Fly, work out, drink...you can do any two on any given day. Do all three and you'll probably get sick.

Also the real petri dish is not the cockpit, it's the cabin and the airport. Be very careful if you're riding in the back. I wash my hands at every opportunity and scrupulously avoid touching anything that the filthy animals in the back might have come in contact with.

Hydration, healthy lifestyle, exercise, supplements and hygiene did the trick for me. I get about one cold a year, if that.

Oh yeah...and get the flu shot as soon as it comes out.

OrionDriver

You guys all had great points and I really appreciate it. I've implemented many of your recommendations, most especially the hydration, abstaining from alcohol and getting lots of rest. It's worked well and i feel a lot better.

I drink a crap ton of water on every flight, use EmergencyC, and sleep like a teenager on every layover.

Thanks for the great feedback!

TiredSoul

I flew for a 121 supplemental and had your symptoms 9 (!) times in a year.
Old airplanes with bad air. Ducting that hasn't been cleaned since 1983.
Humid hot environments and who knows what grows in there.
We had one POS that would smell
of mold for minutes after turning on the packs.
That and cockroaches. You can develop an allergy to roach feasces.
Go home and it would clear right up.