Killing It In My Sixties

Recently I have been hearing about a new trend called, “raw-dogging” in relationship to flying on airplanes.  This trend popularized by TikTok, is also known as, “barebacking” and involves taking a commercial airline flight, usually of at least two or more hours, with zero sensory stimuli.  This practice entails sitting through the duration of the flight with no in-flight entertainment, no talking, no moving, no food or drink, no screens of any sort, (including iPads, notebooks, smartphones, or gaming devices), and the only thing you may look at, is the in-flight map.  Apparently this is increasing in popularity with men, somewhat as a challenge: the premise being, who can fly the longest and furthest distance while abstaining from all these distractions?

Given that I will be boarding a commercial jetliner in less than three weeks, for a five-hour flight, I have been giving this idea a lot of thought.  The first thing that comes to mind, is my ADD brain – there is no way I can sit still and do nothing for five hours ANYWHERE! Not even when I am asleep – I dream vividly to entertain myself, I toss and turn, get up to go to the bathroom, and rearrange my bedding at least seven times per night. And when I am awake? I am in motion pretty much non-stop: talking, working, cooking, watching television, fidgeting, scrolling on my phone, eating, drinking, writing, and reading.  For flying, I usually prepare with a good book, a great music playlist on my iPhone, snacks, and my iPad for writing.

I find it interesting that women are not known to be accepting this challenge – only men.  The first thing that comes to mind is that a mom traveling with children is the complete opposite of raw-dogging!!!  Moms are equipped with literally EVERYTHING they can think of to get through the flight: toys, games, snacks, drinks, hand-held games, coloring books, fidget toys, medication for air-sickness, pillows, stuffies, blankets, jackets, extra socks, a change of clothes, headphones, and pacifiers.  They depend on all these forms of stimuli to get through the ordeal of flying.  I am not saying that the dads just zone out – but c’mon – we know the moms have it GOING ON!

Apparently the point of raw-dogging in to reach a state of Zen, a place of mindlessness where you are completely one with the universe.  I suppose this would be a good place for me to be – usually I am completely focused on every sound in the plane, watching the expressions of the flight crew during turbulence and doing just about anything to keep my mind busy and off the recent airline disasters that have been in the news.  I will turn up my music if there are crying babies, start talking to my fellow traveler during the bumps to distract myself, and sadly – I look forward to the food and beverage service far more than is warranted.

On this next trip I am taking, I am going to be on the lookout for people who are, “Raw-Dogging” it.  I would love to see it in action – or rather complete lack-of-action.  I am curious if it is only solo travelers and – is it really only men?  People who are asleep don’t count – that’s just taking the easy way out.  Sleeping is often my go-to on a long flight – anything to shut my brain off and get me to my destination faster.  Since sleeping upright on an airplane doesn’t come easily to me, slumber is usually induced by some pharmaceutical product and a cocktail.  Again – this doesn’t fit the ‘raw-dog-bare-back’ profile.  And when traveling with kids – definitely not a realistic option.

No matter what – I keep coming back to – WHY?  Even back in the days of early airplane travel – there were papers and magazines to read, much better food and service, and sometimes – even a deck of cards were given out to pass the time.  Granted – I don’t want to talk non-stop to the person next to me – and I definitely don’t want them to talk to me if I don’t know them.  (Unless it’s a possible Prince Charming).

So what’re the alternatives to raw-dogging? I say – mind your own business, be polite, bring with you whatever you need to be content, remember your earbuds, only use one arm-rest – not two, exit the airplane the way it was intended – one row at a time from front to back – no standing up and trying to jump in before the people in front of you can exit,  don’t pass gas, wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing, be quick in the lavatory – three toilets for the whole plane isn’t much when you gotta’ go, and keep your shoes on and your feet down – no one wants your nasty feet exposed to their breathing space.

Beyond that? You want to raw-dog? You do you. I, on the other hand will be attempting to enjoy the in-flight experience and not die.