BlogHer - Aisle Seat, Caffeinated, Please. - Comments

That explains so much!

Jen M. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:14:06 -0600

And here I thought the headaches I get on long flights were just due to the recycled air. Turns out it's that stinkin' decaf giving me caffeine withdrawal.

The more you know, right? :)

The Traveling Mamas

My Travel Site

Curious about caffeine

Cynthia Clampitt — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:54:31 -0600

I'm just curious, and I don't know how I'd find the answer to this, but since all the health magazines tell you how dangerous it is to consume caffeine while flying, because it's a diuretic and dehydration is one of the biggest health hazzards in the air, is there any chance the decision to push decaf came from a source higher than the flight attendants? It can't be good for the airlines when, as happened a few years ago, a bride flying to her wedding in London from Australia, dropped dead shortly before landing. Could decaf be a preventive measure?

I really don't know if this is even likely, but given how many warnings I've read about caffeine and flying, it just makes me wonder. Can you think of a way one would find out?

Cynthia

http://waltzingaustralia.wordpress.com

caffeinated please

javajune — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:19:38 -0600

Loved your post- it was good to know. I will be taking an air trip soon and avoiding my inflight cup of joe, thank you very much.

jj- http://javajune.wordpress.com/

Coffee Pros

javajune — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:11:38 -0600

Hummm, I could add that to my professional accomplishments as well. I like it.

jj- http://javajune.wordpress.com/

Coffee Pros

shoalswriter — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:35:00 -0600

Yes it would. And since I'm a known coffee-aholic and have about 26 coffee makers of my own, I think I'll go ahead and start using it!

Cathy

cathylwood.wordpress.com

Coffee Pros

shoalswriter — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:34:55 -0600

Yes it would. And since I'm a known coffee-aholic and have about 26 coffee makers of my own, I think I'll go ahead and start using it!

Cathy

cathylwood.wordpress.com

It's a made up title

Pam — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:09:48 -0600

But one of my companions is a buyer/roaster and the other an importer/runs a business. Though I like the generic "coffee professional." It would be funny on a business card, no?

Nerd's Eye View
@nerdseyeview

Coffee Pros?

shoalswriter — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:08:50 -0600

I want to know about the coffee professionals! How do you get to claim that title and how can I do that, too??? I would love to add "coffee professional" to my resume! And a double thanks for the great clip -- love starting my day out with a chuckle.

Cathy

cathylwood.wordpress.com

Aisle Seat, Caffeinated, Please.

Pam — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:11:30 -0600

Breakfast this morning found me in the company of two coffee professionals of the hard core variety. The topic at hand? The old bait and switch on the airplane when it comes to coffee. "I swear, the flight attendant did me wrong," said Coffee Pro 1, "it was totally decaf." "It's ALL decaf," said Coffee Pro 2, "always. You want caf, you gotta ask for it."

As an addict and sometimes sufferer from headaches, I rely on caffeine to take the edge of the pounding. (I know, I know, bit caffeine's evils are better addressed by those that write about health.) The idea that I'm being short changed on a much needed jolt makes me a little cranky.

Tripso takes apart what's wrong with your airplane coffee here.

Many flight attendants brew only decaffeinated coffee. Are they concerned about your jangled nerves? Not particularly. It’s just that they’d rather have sleeping passengers than a hyperactive crowd any day. I am not condoning it; I’m just saying it happens. Did you know that airline coffee used to be 90% caffeine-free anyway? And did you know that a few airlines still serve mostly decaffeinated coffee as a matter of course?

If you're not avoiding the joe already, this is a sort of terrifying look at the water that's used to make that coffee.

Because unless you see the steward pouring bottled water into the coffee maker onboard the aircraft (unlikely!) then the coffee and tea are made from the same tank of water that is used to provide water for the sink in airplane bathrooms. The same water that Zach Bjornson-Hooper tested. The tank of water gets refilled when the aircraft is stationed in an airport gate, but it isn't always fully drained, so the water gets old, cloudy, and germy. The technical terms for this is...gross.

Suite 101 has some tips on how to get a decent cup if you're stuck on the plane, but I'm doubtful

Tell the flight attendant you are happy to wait for a fresh brew rather than drink whatever is sitting in the ol' carafe. Be very nice, smile a lot and say thank you. Attendants aren't barristas. But they do try to please.

There's no guarantee that just because there's a known brand on your cup that the coffee is any good - here's Upgrade: Travel Better on airplane coffee.

What I’ve found is that coffee varies by flight, not just by airline. The Starbucks coffee on United might be a watery swill one flight, and a reasonably robust brew on another.

I get my coffee in the airport, not on the plane, if I can. I typically go for tea on the flight instead - it's not the same but my tastebuds tend to be not quite as offended. Once, after a long haul to London, my friend met me in the lobby holding a steaming hot latte - she's my hero.

Now, for no good reason other than "I can't help it, Airplane always makes me laugh," here's the "We're also out of coffee" clip.