Excited Sleeping Tricks On Plane With Feet Tied To Seat Belt, Safe Or Dangerous?

JAKARTA - For many travelers, sleeping in an upright position during long flights is a big challenge. Narrow economic class seats make the journey feel tiring, so many passengers look for various ways to sleep comfortably on the plane.

Some people are willing to buy expensive neck pillows or tools like 'foot hammock' to support their feet. However, recently, a sleeping trick on a plane that went viral on TikTok and Instagram actually raises concerns among aviation experts.

In the video that has been watched millions of times, passengers are seen lifting their knees to the chest, placing their feet on the edge of the chair, then tying their ankles with seat belts. With this position, they can lower their heads and sleep more comfortably.

However, the flight attendants did not agree to this trick. Sara Nelson, president of the Aviation Flight Attendant Association (AFA-CWA) representing 55,000 flight attendants in 20 airlines, insists that this trick is very dangerous.

"This is very dangerous," Nelson said in a statement, quoted by VOI from the CNN Travel page on Friday, February 14.

The seat belt is designed to be worn low and tight on your lap. It aims to protect you in turbulence situations, emergency landings, or accidents. If it's not installed properly, you're not only harming yourself, but can also injure others when turbulence occurs," he added.

Nelson also warned that this trick could get passengers to deal with the law.

"Basically, this is a violation of federal regulations and crew instructions. Do it. If you intentionally refuse, you can be fined up to $35,000," he added.

Reactions to this trick also vary. Some say they will try it on the next flight. While others feel they are not flexible enough or too high to do so.

There are also those who defend this trick on the grounds that the economy seat is too narrow and uncomfortable, so passengers must find creative ways to sleep.

However, many critics also warn of the risk of serious injury from turbulence. In addition, some people worry that tying an ankle with a seat belt could increase the risk of blood clots.

Dr. Nathan Connell, an hematologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted the potential risks of this trick to health.

"It's hard to say whether this trick directly causes blood clots, but I'll be careful with anything that limits blood flow, as it could increase the risk," Connell explained in an email as quoted by CNN.

He also added that if there is turbulence or a state of emergency, a seat belt bound leg can be injured, which in the end can also trigger blood clots.

Although the risk of blood clots on long flights increases, Connell said that the number of cases remains small. However, to reduce the risk, he suggested that passengers remain hydrated, wear loose clothes, and move or walk in the cabin whenever possible.

"Flying is very safe, and by understanding how to reduce the risk of blood clots, you can enjoy the trip comfortably." Connell concluded.

So, if you want to sleep better on the plane, you should avoid tying your ankle with a seat belt.