# Some tips for those who are about to go on an airplane flight for the first time ever **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462 "2013-12-16T14:09:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/141 "2013-12-19T18:15:28Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Meh. I always check my bag and then don’t have to worry about lugging it around the airport. I have heard of lost luggage, but it’s never happened to me and I’m fairly certain with today’s technology it rarely happens at all. Waiting an extra 15 minutes for luggage at the airport is nothing. YMMV. My main gripe is that the wheelchairs used by the escorts or whatever they are called are no way as comfy as mine, which has to be checked as luggage ☹ and I did have to put up with a slightly damaged wheel on a trip a few years back to Germany [though the check for the repair arrived at the house before we got home.] I should get a custom wheelchair bag made that is a rigid case … _sigh_ I saw some couple with a SINGLE kid with a honking huge freaking stroller - I swear it was the size of a VW! She had a black vinyl case for the damned thing that you could probably fit all of the luggage that mrAru and I combined had for the trip including my purse and both our carry ons! Though I will admit, I can pack a fair amount in the tactical backpack we have for me and it straps onto the back of the chair so it makes it easier on mrAru not having to haul around my luggage as well as his. Sherpaing around 2 full size wheelie suitcases is a pain in the ass. Though we went to a thrift store and bought some seriously ugly [‘60s funky’](http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.11059713.5338/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg) belts to strap on the generic bags to help ID them. mrAru used pop rivets to secure them to the bag so they don’t get lost if the TSA decided to open them. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/142 "2013-12-19T18:21:44Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > If you’ve read the cite - as I’m sure you have - you will know that parental perception of expected hyperactivity due to sugar intake is an empirically proven phenomenon. Actual hyperactivity in children due to sugar intake is an empirically disproven phenomenon. > > Of course, you may be someone who will unswervingly believe in your own subjective experience over scientific evidence. In which case there’s probably nothing that anyone can say that will help you. I understand that, and I was also clear that I know that it doesn’t cause medical hyperactivity. My initial post on the subject was to respond to the poster who didn’t say “give them a few pieces of candy” but **“pump them full of sugar and pop”.** And as I said in my first post on this, if _I_ have too much candy, it certainly gives me a sugar rush and I’m not a kid, I’m thousands of miles away from my kid years. It’s not a stretch to see where kids, who can on their own have way too much energy, would get that sugar high and start (as I’ve seen) acting really ridiculous and goofy. I also understand that the sugar high kids I’ve been subjected to are merely anecdotal and don’t constitute evidence. But the inverse that people keep saying “sugar doesn’t affect kids if the parent merely remains calm” is pretty silly. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/143 "2013-12-19T19:50:44Z")
My bottom line on Kids ‘N’ Sugar: Sugar is fun! When kids get to stop for donuts, when the Fun Dad (who, moi?) buys yard-long Twizzlers at the movies, when we sneak out before mom wakes up and end up getting Belgian Waffles with boysenberries and two feet of whipped cream on top… it’s fun! So yeah, when I get home with the kids, they’re going to be all keyed up. Might be sugar, might be video games and pizza, might be our 80s singalong in the car… might be a dad that forgot to grow up. So, yeah, I have to conciously tone it down in airports so they’ll be mellow on the plane. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/144 "2013-12-19T20:35:20Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It is civil and considerate to expect that everyone will deplane according to the seating rows they are occupying. If you’ve been sitting behind me, crowding into the aisle in my row before the plane has even reached the gate will not earn you a quicker exit from the plane, just the well-deserved resentment of the passengers you’re trying to shove in front of. It might even earn you sore toes if you ignore requests to make room, and the people moving into the aisle in the proper order should happen to step on them. The most dickish thing I’ve ever done on a flight has to do with this. I was on a flight in China and when we landed two women in the back of the plane decided to push their way through the crowed aisle towards the front before the door was even opened. They pushed by me and and got about half way to the front when it was announce we would be exiting from the rear door. Then they started working their way back. When they got to me, I was blocking the aisle. They actually starting poking me in the back to get out of their way (no “excuse me” or any explanation why they needed to be first off). Without looking back, I threw my knapsack that I was holding over my shoulder. I’m pretty sure one of them got it in the face. Oops. Saw them by the gate later staring at me with burning eyes and putting a hex on me–might explain why I haven’t won Mega Millions yet. Not sure if this has been mentioned, and I may have missed it, but when you’re going through the security move your belongings forward as space opens up. I’ve seen people standing by the bins and taking off their shoes and emptying their pockets with 20 feet of open table in front of them and a line out the ass behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/145 "2013-12-19T20:46:05Z")
\ Beginning today, anyone [flying from Seattle aboard Alaska Airlines wearing a Seattle Seahawks jersey of quarterback Russ Wilson (3)](http://consumerist.com/2013/12/19/alaska-airlines-will-let-seattle-passengers-wearing-russell-wilson-jerseys-board-early/) gets to board first, regardless of the stated airline boarding policy. This special boarding will last through the current NFL season. \ Gonna be interesting if quite a few people show up at the gate. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/146 "2013-12-19T21:09:56Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > And as I said in my first post on this, if _I_ have too much candy, it certainly gives me a sugar rush and I’m not a kid, I’m thousands of miles away from my kid years. It’s not a stretch to see where kids, who can on their own have way too much energy, would get that sugar high and start (as I’ve seen) acting really ridiculous and goofy. > > I also understand that the sugar high kids I’ve been subjected to are merely anecdotal and don’t constitute evidence. But the inverse that people keep saying “sugar doesn’t affect kids if the parent merely remains calm” is pretty silly. Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, you’re dumber than a box of rocks aren’t you. I’ll type this really slowly so maybe you understand: _the sugar high is a myth_. Got that? Not true. False. Doesn’t exist. Study after study has found -zero- discernible difference in behaviour based on sugar ingested. > [@CanvasShoes](#): > > “sugar doesn’t affect kids if the parent merely remains calm” is pretty silly. It is not silly. It is, in fact, true. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/147 "2013-12-19T21:41:46Z")
> [@chela](#): > > overseas flight the bitch in the seat in front of me kept her seat reclined the entire flight even during meals, would not budge at my request. So I flicked nail trimmings and crumbs at her the rest of the flight…yes that was rude but it relieved my stress Why didn’t you just ask the flight attendant to ask them to move their seat? On more than one occasion, I’ve had the FA bring a meal while the person in front of me was reclined in my crotch. I’ve never even had to say anything-- I just shrug at the FA and point down to the person laying on me. Every single time, the FA has politely told the person in front of me, “I’m sorry, but you need to have your seat in upright position during meal times. I’ll let you know when it’s good to recline again.” I mean, I guess it’s better to be a passive aggressive baby and clip fingernails at them (WHO CLIPS THEIR FUCKING FINGERNAILS ON A PLANE? JESUS CHRIST). Seriously. I fly a lot and am generally anti recline (at least anti full recline), but just _ask the flight attendants_, that’s what they are there for. ---
**Author:** ![Mclovin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@Mclovin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mclovin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/148 "2013-12-19T21:48:17Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/149 "2013-12-19T21:55:02Z")
If you’ve never flown before and dont know if you get airsick, please do not test it by cramming your face full of pizza, onion rings, beer, martinis, etc, etc, stinky greasy food. What goes down might come up. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/150 "2013-12-19T21:55:26Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > “Let’s get kids stirred up” vs. “let’s keep kids calm” is a completely separate issue and has nothing to do with sugar. I realize that, another poster had brought up and stated that (paraphrased) - the reason kids get all hyper when given candy is due to how the parents act, if parents get them all stirred up when they’re given candy, that’s when they’ll get hyper-. (again, that was paraphrased). > [@](#): > > My pronoun usage (or lack thereof) in my previous post was a colloquialism. Sorry it bothered you. It didn’t, I thought it was funny, which is why I continued it, then added a smilie to my “pronoun shortage” question. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/151 "2013-12-19T22:10:51Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Not gripping - flat palms - apply pressure if it gets bumpy - try it, it works. Oh. No, I need something I can grip if it happens the plane does something bumpy. I have poor balance and little strength in my legs. Tho I suppose I could balance with the bins and then if something happens I’d still have time to drop my hands to grab the seat. I’ll try to remember to do that next time I fly. > [@CanvasShoes](#): > > You are being very silly. Every single (except you) person who rides a plane is well-versed in the simple -hop up and let your seat mate out- maneuver. It’s not some major inconvenience to the people in the other seats it is a COMMON PRACTICE to everyone but you apparently. OK. I fly fairly often and your COMMON PRACTICE hasn’t always shown up when I have informed my seatmates I wish to exit. And even if they do hop up, as I have said, there isn’t always enough room between seats to get thru without holding on to something for balance. Since it is oh so horrible to you when someone touches your seat, I will attempt to remember to lean over and use vacated chairs, should my seatmates decide to do so. I fully expect to see a complaint about how stupid this looks later on. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > Haven’t you ever noticed or paid attention to what the vast majority of other passengers do? Actually, no. I spend my time reading or sleeping, not staring at bathroom bound passengers. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/152 "2013-12-19T22:14:21Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, you’re dumber than a box of rocks aren’t you. I’ll type this really slowly so maybe you understand: _the sugar high is a myth_. Got that? Not true. False. Doesn’t exist. Study after study has found -zero- discernible difference in behaviour based on sugar ingested. > > It is not silly. It is, in fact, true. Why yes. I’m a complete idiot. In all ways. I have no intelligence or abilities whatsoever. :rolleyes: I’ve seen several of these reports, I disagree with their findings and don’t think they’re that thorough either. The ones I’ve read, or have seen on TLC or Discovery and that ilk show experiments such as, they basically take Xnumber of kids, let them run around, give them a little candy, then base their activity levels on that. The ones I have seen did NOT separate or observe behavoiur, merely things like (to simplify) “are these kids running around more, or faster, or jumping up and down more before or after the candy”? I’m quite sure you’re correct that it doesn’t cause hyperactivity. As I’ve said about 7 times now. From what I’ve observed in the field (in particular one very unpleasant trip on a greyhound bus, never do THAT again), I have seen it have a definite effect on children’s behaviour even when their parents were being calm vs. not calm (Sorry, I don’t remember which poster said that was the real reason kids acted up when Halloween and Easter overdoses occurred). I am a full grown, old adult, and I can absolutely feel the effects of too much sugar, so why would kids be completely immune to it with no differences whatsoever? ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/153 "2013-12-19T22:20:05Z")
Ignoring the question of meal time (and mostly that’s been solved by eliminating meal time on domestic flights), the eternal debate over whether a passenger is perfectly entitled to recline their seat or if doing such is an affront to human decency is once the universe will not live long enough to see resolved. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/154 "2013-12-19T22:24:48Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > OK. I fly fairly often and your COMMON PRACTICE hasn’t always shown up when I have informed my seatmates I wish to exit. And even if they do hop up, as I have said, there isn’t always enough room between seats to get thru without holding on to something for balance. Since it is oh so horrible to you when someone touches your seat, I will attempt to remember to lean over and use vacated chairs, should my seatmates decide to do so. > > I fully expect to see a complaint about how stupid this looks later on. :rolleyes: As you say your own self, “even if they do hop up, there isn’t always room between seats…” So why would it be okay to climb over people? You said it yourself…If there’s barely enough room when people aren’t in their seats in your row, there really REALLY isn’t room when people are there. Good Grief! If you’ll read the thread, what you’ll see is there were complaints, but about being climbed over. NOT that not wanting to be climbed over is stupid. > [@](#): > > Actually, no. I spend my time reading or sleeping, not staring at bathroom bound passengers. When people in your row get up…Sheesh really? What I meant was, (and this wasn’t that complex). Don’t you observe what goes on around you (as in close around you)? As in, when people around you are engaging in similar behaviours?? If you’ve flown, and someone wants out from your row, chances are they asked you to get up so they could get out, most people aren’t going to climb all over someone else. Do you not observe things like THAT? And realize “oh, most people do it that way, I see”? ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/155 "2013-12-19T22:36:09Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > Ignoring the question of meal time (and mostly that’s been solved by eliminating meal time on domestic flights), the eternal debate over whether a passenger is perfectly entitled to recline their seat or if doing such is an affront to human decency is once the universe will not live long enough to see resolved. I have no dog in that fight. I’ve been lucky enough to have never been on a plane where the seats reclined into the face of the person behind, or reclined on the bottom half into the knees of the person behind, or really reclined much more than an inch or two. I’m guessing those are mostly international flights in 747s? (I haven’t been in one of those as a passenger since I was a kid). I probably make my seatmates pretty happy, as soon as we’re allowed to, and all the settling in, drink and snack distribution and such has occurred, I go stand in the back of the plane. I can’t sit in those seats for very long without pain, so this leaves more stretching out room for people in my row. Whenever possible, I get an aisle seat, so they’re truly free once I get up and move to the back. Plus the flight attendants always have some really cool stories. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/156 "2013-12-20T00:19:54Z")
And regardless of what the FAA/FCC and other government agencies may decide, you will not be allowed to use your cell phones for voice communications if you fly Delta or JetBlue. I bet Spirit Airlines will allow it and then charge you 50 gazillion dollars a minute for the privilege aboard their aircraft. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/157 "2013-12-20T00:23:38Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Why yes. I’m a complete idiot. In all ways. I have no intelligence or abilities whatsoever. And your response only backed this up. > [@CanvasShoes](#): > > I’ve seen several of these reports, I disagree with their findings and don’t think they’re that thorough either. The ones I’ve read, or have seen on TLC or Discovery and that ilk You don’t believe the studies? Seriously? Let me guess - climate change is a myth, and vaccines cause autism, right? :rolleyes: There are many, many studies. Real, scientific studies even! Double-blinded and everything. Seriously. > [@CanvasShoes](#): > > I’m quite sure you’re correct that it doesn’t cause hyperactivity. Huh? You just said above you don’t believe the studies. Which is it? > [@CanvasShoes](#): > > I am a full grown, old adult, and I can absolutely feel the effects of too much sugar No you can’t. You may think you can, but you can’t. Far more likely, the kids on that Greyhound bus were reacting to the fact that they were bored to death because THEY WERE STUCK ON A FUCKING GREYHOUND BUS. I notice you use two spaces after a period - so my armchair diagnosis is you’re one of those older folk that don’t really believe all this newfangled so-called ‘science’, right? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/158 "2013-12-20T00:26:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’ve said it before and will again, but the reputation for kids flipping out on planes is stupidly exaggerated. ^ Word. When I was a kid all you had to do was give me a window seat, the outside view was more than enough to keep me occupied no matter how long the flight. Of course, the next person might have to look through smeary nose and fingerprints, but whatever… ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/159 "2013-12-20T02:16:51Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > And your response only backed this up. > > You don’t believe the studies? Seriously? Let me guess - climate change is a myth, and vaccines cause autism, right? :rolleyes: Wow, you’re getting very overwrought and angry. What does that have to do with sugar? > [@](#): > > There are many, many studies. Real, scientific studies even! Double-blinded and everything. Seriously. > > Huh? You just said above you don’t believe the studies. Which is it? Hyperactivity is a medical term. And within most of the studies that’s what they’re talking about when they use that term. So no, I don’t believe that sugar causes hyperactivity. There’s a difference between sugar causing kids to have behaviourial changes and them having actual hyperactivity. That’s what I’ve been saying since my first post. > [@](#): > > No you can’t. You may think you can, but you can’t. As a matter of fact, at the time I was writing this post, I had had a piece of birthday cake at work (with far too much frosting on it, I had to scrape half of it off). Anyway, I could have cheerfully run down the road and back had I not been at work, and wearing heels. And I’m the laziest human on earth, prior to the cake, I could have easily taken a nap. Anyway, you believe that a person can’t feel sugar hit their bloodstream (or conversely feel low blood sugar) at all? Wow. > [@](#): > > Far more likely, the kids on that Greyhound bus were reacting to the fact that they were bored to death because THEY WERE STUCK ON A FUCKING GREYHOUND BUS. Other kids (of similar ages) on the bus weren’t reaching that level of spazzing out. Including their sister, who sat with her nose buried in a book. Her family was so awful, I think she was actually embarrassed to be with them and hoped no one would see her, I never actually saw her eat anything, candy or otherwise. > [@](#): > > I notice you use two spaces after a period - so my armchair diagnosis is you’re one of those older folk that don’t really believe all this newfangled so-called ‘science’, right? Oh brother. What does this have to do with sugar? Or is it about taking out whatever bug is up your butt on someone who’s posted something you disagree with? First it was climate change (yes, yes our climate is changing), then it’s shots (both my kids had every single one, on time, when it was due). Now it’s my typing, I know this is the pit, but you’re getting really out of sorts over a debate and going all over the place to attack and be mad, rather than merely discuss the subject at hand. FWIW, I use two spaces after a sentence because I do technical writing (in the Environmental Industry) for a living and that’s the industry standard, so it’s habit. And because it’s easier on the eyes. And how would you know how many spaces I use anyway? The board automatically closes it to one space. Not that I care, it just seems a little over the top that you are so worked up about this that you went to whatever measures one goes to to see how many spaces a poster uses. I’m merely a parent and grandparent who’s observed kids go from normal to spazz two minutes after ingesting too much sugar, not a medical researcher. But apparently I’m not imagining that kids DO react to too much sugar, and that it does affect some people differently than others. And that is what I’ve been saying all along, too much sugar, not a candy bar, not a couple of pieces of candy, too much. And that’s the point the first poster was making as well. At any rate, here’s just one piece from the other side of the debate and from people that know far more than I do medically. [http://www.parenting.com/article/sugar-does-it-make-kids-hyper?page=0,1](http://www.parenting.com/article/sugar-does-it-make-kids-hyper?page=0,1) > [@](#): > > Behavioral problems Numerous studies have confirmed that sugar does not cause hyperactivity. In fact, a few drops of sugar water (a half teaspoon in an ounce of water) can soothe a fussing baby. When sugar enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, it temporarily increases calming neurochemicals, such as serotonin. > > That’s not to say you’re just imagining those post-birthday-cake meltdowns. The problem is what happens when blood-sugar levels rise too high. The body responds by producing a large amount of insulin, a hormone that sweeps sugar out of the blood and into body cells. Blood-sugar levels may then drop so quickly, your child may feel shaky or sluggish. Not surprisingly, low blood-sugar levels can trigger a craving for more sweets, which creates a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows. Note what I quoted says the same thing You said and the same thing I’ve said. I believe that it doesn’t cause hyperactivity. That’s a medical term. People have come to use it as slang to mean whenever anyone gets over energized or spazzy or whatever, but in the studies you’re talking about, THEY are talking about the actual official term. I am not, and have not from my first post. I’ve been talking about the behaviour that is caused when kids ingest too much sugar (second paragraph). Pediatric Parents’ site. > **[Harmful Effects of Excess Sugar | Ask Dr Sears](https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/family-nutrition/sugar/harmful-effects-excess-sugar/)** > > The simple sugars found in sodas, candies, icings, and packaged treats can do harm, at least when eaten in excess. It's as simple as that. > [@](#): > > Sugar sours behavior, attention, and learning. Studies of the effects of sugar on children’s behavior are as wildly contradictory as a sugar-crazed four-year-old after a birthday party, **but the general consensus is that some children and adults are sugar-sensitive, meaning their behavior, attention span, a** nd learning ability deteriorate in proportion to the amount of junk sugar they consume. And so on. And of course there are online sources that say “no way, no how sugar has NO effect on anyone, PERIOD”. Which really is idiotic, of course sugar has an affect on us, everything we ingest has SOME affect on us. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/160 "2013-12-20T04:45:48Z")
Lovely, another thing you’re wrong about! > [@](#): > > FWIW, I use two spaces after a sentence because I do technical writing (in the Environmental Industry) for a living and that’s the industry standard Cite? It might be tradition, it might be habit…but it’s not ‘industry standard’. Unless technical writers all only work on typewriters, never ever publish anything (or simply decide to ignore every publisher guidelines & style guides (CMOS etc) in the world). And you’re still wrong about the sugar high, btw. Continue to believe ‘what you know to be true, science be damned’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462.md?page=9)