Boom is the aeronautics company that’s trying to bring back supersonic travel, with its signature Overture product. There’s no denying that there are a lot of smart people working at the company, and that the technology to bring back supersonic travel is there.
However, I think the market has evolved, and I don’t think there’s any business case for it, especially with the operating limits of the Overture. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there…
The reason for my post is that Boom CEO Blake Scholl is quite a guy, who has a lot of opinions on a lot of things (like abolishing airport security), and he likes to share them online. Scholl’s latest online “tips” are quite something. There’s a lot of advice out there about how to battle jetlag, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this before.
Boom CEO Blake Scholl’s complicated way to combat jetlag
Boom’s CEO has taken to Twitter/X, to share his approach for battling jetlag on eastbound transatlantic flights. It’s quite something, so here’s what he wrote:
My eastbound red eye protocol (most flights US->Europe):
– eat before I leave home/office
– blue light blocking glasses the moment I enter airport (I look like a dork but DGAF)
– buy two of the largest water bottles available, there is never enough hydration on board
– vitamin c and tart cherry powder at same time
– melatonin and magnesium as soon as I’ve boarded
– as much omega-3 and vitamin e oil as I can stomach
– eye mask on, earplugs under noise cancelling headphones, aim to fall asleep as quickly as possible
– fly business if at all possible, seat back/flat as soon as possible after takeoff
– no booze or food on the flight – sleep until absolutely necessary to wake
– coffee and high protein food after waking
– high dose methyl B6 and B12
– keep taking omega-3 and vitamin e every few hours
– same protocol next few days (vitamins B in the morning, melatonin and magnesium for sleep)H/T @FountBio for turning me on to much of this. I can now warp between time zones with impunity. And this will be extra valuable when supersonic makes transiting time zones even faster.
Oh, and I forgot: I pack pajamas in my carryon. Change into them in the lav before takeoff while others are boarding. Change back before landing.
Is this complicated of a strategy really necessary?
My goodness, no wonder this guy is trying to create a new way to fly, because the current way sounds downright exhausting. 😉
I don’t want to completely dismiss the concept of trying to take some basic measures to battle jetlag, and try to arrive as well rested as possible. However, it sure feels to me like this advice falls more into the category of “tech bro pontificating about his travel superiority” rather than actual reasonable tips that are logical.
Like, conversely, here’s my jetlag strategy for an eastbound transatlantic flight — eat all the food, get kind of wasted, and then pass out for a few hours. Okay, I’m kidding (sort of), but this whole thing just feels like Lufthansa Allegris levels of over-engineering.
Okay, sure, I get melatonin and magnesium. But vitamin C and tart cherry powder at the same time? And as much omega-3 and vitamin E oil as you can stomach? And methyl B6 and B12? And blue light blocking glasses? And two massive bottles of water before going to sleep (obviously we have different kinds of bladders!)? Like, you’re sure all of these things are incrementally contributing to feeling well?
Bottom line
Boom’s CEO, Blake Scholl, shares a lot of his thoughts online. His takes are generally pretty “out there,” though I have to say, his strategy to combat jetlag on overnight flights is perhaps the most extreme strategy I’ve ever seen from anyone.
What do you make of the Boom CEO’s anti-jetlag strategy?