Avoiding Jet Lag

Harry Nelson’s article, “Finding Ways to Minimize the Effects of Jet Lag” (June 30), slid past what I have found to be the best way to control jet lag. My secret is to start thinking in destination time as soon as I’m airborne.

I have been to Germany three times in recent years, plus a few California/Midwest trips, so I know whereof I speak. Whether or not I can sleep on the plane, I have never had any trouble. Certainly I’m sleepy by 9 p.m. when I return, but that’s because I’ve been up for 24 hours. By the next morning I’m back to normal. Eastbound it’s the same.

The airlines are notoriously uncooperative in this. They seem to operate by departure time instead. Granted, people who board in Los Angeles at 5 p.m. (after checking in at 3 p.m.) need some kind of meal, even though it is 1 a.m. in London, 2 a.m. in Frankfurt, etc. However, serving a dinner and then settling everyone for the “night” when it is already 4 a.m. at destination doesn’t make sense. And the tyranny of in-flight movies doesn’t help.

DOROTHEA JASTER

Gardena