# Are you a member of the mile high club? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 31, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611 "2012-05-31T02:25:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/1 "2012-05-31T02:25:16Z")
Living in Colorado doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/2 "2012-05-31T02:36:22Z")
How about New Mexico, or any other state with elevation of at least one mile present? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/3 "2012-05-31T03:13:24Z")
Yes. And it was so long ago, I think I’m a Charter Member. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/4 "2012-05-31T03:16:24Z")
At this point, I’m barely a member of the foot high club. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/5 "2012-05-31T03:51:50Z")
No. Not even close, really. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/6 "2012-05-31T04:00:07Z")
Might I suggest you watch the junior high school hygiene film: “Snakes on a Plane.” ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/7 "2012-05-31T04:02:27Z")
Is this even A Thing? I know it’s urban legend, but I don’t see how it’s possible unless airplane bathrooms used to be a lot bigger. The couple times I’ve flown, there absolutely was not enough room in the bathroom for two people, not even two REALLY skinny people. Also, wouldn’t the two unoccupied seats (not to mention the post-coital walk of shame) be a red flag for the flight attendants? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/8 "2012-05-31T04:08:18Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Is this even A Thing? I know it’s urban legend, but I don’t see how it’s possible unless airplane bathrooms used to be a lot bigger. The couple times I’ve flown, there absolutely was not enough room in the bathroom for two people, not even two REALLY skinny people. Also, wouldn’t the two unoccupied seats (not to mention the post-coital walk of shame) be a red flag for the flight attendants? I’ve seen two people get up (not together–one got up and went to the bathroom and then the other followed a little later and went into the same bathroom) and go before. They had been sitting together, so I assume they were a couple and I assume they had sex right then after they were both in the bathroom. Can’t imagine what else they’d both be doing in there at the same time, heh. All I could think (after the girl got up second to follow him after a few minutes) was “Damn, everyone is going to know what they’re doing now..how embarrassing is that?” Guess they didn’t care, though. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/9 "2012-05-31T04:36:30Z")
I think they have slightly larger bathrooms that can accommodate wheelchair users. Also, on the A380, some airlines have beds instead of seats in first class, and I think the divider between 2 beds can be removed. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/10 "2012-05-31T04:49:36Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Is this even A Thing? I know it’s urban legend, but I don’t see how it’s possible unless airplane bathrooms used to be a lot bigger. I immediately googled “Sex While Skydiving” and yes, [got a hit](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/13/skydiving-sex-bakersfield_n_1010063.html). So there’s no need for bathrooms! Although I’d definitely make it a quickie. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/11 "2012-05-31T06:30:03Z")
Not me. I might like to, but I hear you can get into real trouble for that. The possibility of a little trouble is what makes it exciting, but I really don’t want to be arrested or anything. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/12 "2012-05-31T08:15:42Z")
Certainly on longhaul flights there are usually larger bathrooms that provide enough room for two (and a bit more for movement). You wait until there is little use for the bathroom, and the plane has been darkened down for a rest period. Make sure there are no attendants nearby. Then, one participant pretends to to be ill (bag to face, bent over, whatever), and the other “assists” them into the bathroom. Retching noises can be then used to cover up any telltale sounds. Of course, this is entirely theoretical - I don’t ever expect to ever try this. And A380 First Class may have beds, but from pictures there is not enough privacy for sex, and the airlines have said that those sorts of activities are inappropriate on a plane. So unless you book a Mile High Club charter flight, you are generally out of luck. Si ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/13 "2012-05-31T10:26:31Z")
I’m barely in the Sea Level Club ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/14 "2012-05-31T10:50:07Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Is this even A Thing? I know it’s urban legend, but I don’t see how it’s possible unless airplane bathrooms used to be a lot bigger. You’re assuming you need an airliner. According to my logbook, mizPullin and I joined on July 6th, 1980. In a [Debonair](http://www.hillsboroflying.org/images/n1310a/n1310a_flying_800x600.jpg) (with an autopilot, of course). For the pilots: It had a throwover yoke. Highly recommended if you’re planning this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/15 "2012-05-31T11:10:29Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > You’re assuming you need an airliner. According to my logbook, mizPullin and I joined on July 6th, 1980. In a [Debonair](http://www.hillsboroflying.org/images/n1310a/n1310a_flying_800x600.jpg) (with an autopilot, of course). > > For the pilots: It had a throwover yoke. Highly recommended if you’re planning this sort of thing. Interesting combination of user name and topic. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/16 "2012-05-31T12:16:16Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > You’re assuming you need an airliner. According to my logbook, mizPullin and I joined on July 6th, 1980. In a [Debonair](http://www.hillsboroflying.org/images/n1310a/n1310a_flying_800x600.jpg) (with an autopilot, of course). > > For the pilots: It had a throwover yoke. Highly recommended if you’re planning this sort of thing. Yeah, you wouldn’t want start out trying for the Mile High club and ending up in the CFIT club because you ignored the “pull out” warning 😉 I know, it should be _Pull Up_, but still… Si ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/17 "2012-05-31T12:22:49Z")
A: No and B: yes, people can get it on in an airline lavatory given the right physical size and motivation, it’s not THAT small; I don’t think\*\* I\*\* could do it, but that’s 'cause those lavs are **nasty**! Or, back when there were relatively empty flights, so you’d have a row to yourselves and nobody in the seat immediately behind, you’d lift up the armrest, throw a blanket over both parties and avoid being very energetic about it. As others have said, it was more viable on late-night flights after the lights were dimmed, most people were dozing and the attendants all retreated to lounge at one of the galleys. > [@Cicero](#): > > Interesting combination of user name and topic. And airplane name! ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/18 "2012-05-31T13:20:17Z")
Fun fact, one of the founding members of the Mile High Club is generally accepted to be Lawrence Sperry, who was also the inventor of the autopilot (necessity is the mother of invention). The reason he is presumed to be a member is because he was taking a female passenger up for a flight in a seaplane when the autopilot evidently failed, causing the plane too crash into the sea. Both Sperry and his female passenger survived and produced some lame excuse for them being naked when they were fished out of the water. [http://www.milehighclub.com/about/founder.html](http://www.milehighclub.com/about/founder.html) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/19 "2012-05-31T13:59:36Z")
Well, I’ve done it in Denver without living in the state, so according to the OP that counts. 🙂 Otherwise, no. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611/20 "2012-05-31T14:02:18Z")
To be a real member of the mile-high club, one of the people involved needs to have been actually flying the plane. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-member-of-the-mile-high-club/623611.md?page=2)