You might have heard of rawdogging before but, no, this has no relation to the mile high club.
You’re on Girls Who Travel but in the world of boys who travel, there’s a recent phenomenon among men where they “rawdog a flight.” This isn’t just about choosing the cheapest airline or refusing to check a bag; it’s about boldly boarding the plane without any of the basic comforts or tools that make a flight bearable. This phenomenon has come to be known as “rawdogging” a flight — flying with nothing but the clothes on your back and the blind confidence that you’ll be fine for the next few hours. No neck pillow, no headphones, no snacks, no plan. Just you and your bad decisions.
In my humble opinion, rawdogging a flight is not a good idea. Not only does it reveal a lack of foresight and understanding of air travel, but it also ignores basic science. Join in me this lighthearted dig at why this “tough guy” act is both ridiculous and counterproductive.
The Human Body is Not Built for Air Travel
One of the first things that rawdoggers ignore is the physical toll that air travel takes on the body. Airplanes are pressurised to simulate the air at around 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. This is much higher than the typical altitude at which most people live, and the change in pressure affects the body in multiple ways. Without adequate preparation, these effects can be unpleasant or even harmful.
Dry Air and Dehydration
Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, with humidity levels dropping as low as 10-20%. Compare that to the average home, where humidity typically ranges from 30-60%. The dry air on a plane sucks moisture out of your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. That’s why many people experience dry skin, itchy eyes, or a sore throat after a flight. Without basic precautions — like drinking water, using lotion, or even bringing eye drops — a rawdogger is setting himself up for discomfort.
Research has shown that dehydration during flights can cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. This study confirmed that dehydration is a significant issue during flights, yet the rawdogger, in his infinite wisdom, neglects to even bring a water bottle on board. Apparently, in his mind, the mere act of planning ahead is too much to ask.
Swelling and Circulation Problems
Another delightful aspect of flying is the way it messes with your circulation. When you sit for long periods, especially in cramped airplane seats, blood can pool in your legs and feet, leading to swelling. This is uncomfortable at best and can be dangerous at worst. Long flights increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in the legs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DVT is a real risk during flights longer than four hours, particularly if you don’t move around or wear compression socks.
Now, do you think the typical rawdogger is wearing compression socks? Of course not. He’s too busy proving that he’s too tough for such “luxuries.” Instead, he sits there stubbornly, swelling up like a balloon, completely oblivious to the fact that his ignorance could literally kill him. Bravo.
Cabin Noise: Why Headphones Are Not Just a Comfort but a Necessity
Anyone who’s flown before knows that airplanes are noisy. Between the hum of the engines, the chatter of other passengers, and the occasional crying baby, flights can be a cacophony of sound. The average airplane cabin produces noise levels of 85 decibels during takeoff and 75 decibels during cruising. This is roughly the equivalent of having a vacuum cleaner running next to you for several hours straight.
While most travellers bring noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to drown out this racket, the rawdogger apparently enjoys auditory torture. He sits there, blissfully ignorant, as his eardrums take a beating. Is it because he likes the suffering? Does he believe that ignoring basic sensory overload makes him more of a man? Hard to say, but it’s clear he’s choosing discomfort for the sake of it.
Long-term exposure to noise at these levels can lead to hearing loss, yet the rawdogger laughs at the mere suggestion of preparing for the noise. You know what’s cooler than not wearing headphones? Not going deaf in your 40s. But that’s apparently a lesson for another time.
Jet Lag and the Circadian Rhythm: Your Body’s Natural Clock Doesn’t Care How Tough You Are
Rawdoggers often seem to pride themselves on their ability to “push through” the effects of jet lag. Flying across time zones disrupts your circadian rhythm — your body’s internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Even short flights across just two time zones can significantly impact sleep quality and alertness for up to three days.
Now, let’s imagine our friend, the rawdogger, who’s flying across multiple time zones without so much as an eye mask or a plan to manage his sleep. He thinks he can tough it out, maybe even brag about how little sleep he got because “real men don’t need sleep.” In reality, what he’s doing is setting himself up for fatigue, irritability, and poor cognitive performance for days.
This isn’t just anecdotal — sleep deprivation and circadian disruption have been linked to impaired memory, slower reaction times, and decreased problem-solving ability. A rawdogger might claim he’s “fine” after his rough, sleepless night on the plane, but science says otherwise. He’s functioning like someone who’s had too many beers, minus the fun.
Strategies for Avoiding Jet Lag
Of course, sensible travellers know there are strategies to mitigate the effects of jet lag. Adjusting sleep schedules before the trip, staying hydrated, and even using supplements like melatonin can help reset the body’s clock. But such measures require planning, and the rawdogger refuses to bow to such “weakness.” He’s more concerned with projecting an image of invincibility than, you know, functioning like a normal human being after his flight.
In-Flight Entertainment: Why Sitting Without Distractions is a Bad Idea
The standard flight experience isn’t exactly stimulating. Even with in-flight entertainment systems, you’re confined to a small space with limited freedom of movement for hours on end. Most passengers bring along their own forms of entertainment — books, movies, music, or games — to pass the time. But not the rawdogger. Oh no, he’s far too rugged for that.
For reasons known only to him, the rawdogger often boards a flight with no entertainment whatsoever, choosing instead to sit there in some kind of zen-like trance (or worse, scroll through social media without sound because he didn’t bring headphones). Perhaps he believes that enduring boredom is a sign of strength. In reality, it’s just another example of poor planning.
Studies show that boredom can actually increase stress. Prolonged boredom can lead to heightened cortisol levels, which are linked to stress and anxiety. So, while the rawdogger sits there stewing in his own boredom, his body is literally pumping out stress hormones, all because he thought bringing a book was for “weaklings.”
Hygiene on Flights: Skipping Basic Cleanliness is Just Gross
Airplanes are not exactly the pinnacle of cleanliness. Hundreds of people cycle through the same cramped space every day, and even with cleaning crews in place, planes are breeding grounds for germs. Bacteria like E. coli can survive for days on airplane surfaces, including tray tables, seat pockets, and armrests.
Given this reality, you’d think the rawdogger might at least bring hand sanitiser or disinfectant wipes. But no. Our hero is too tough for that. He boldly eats his in-flight meal (if he was smart enough to bring one, which he likely wasn’t) with his bare, unwashed hands, probably wiping them on his pants afterward. Meanwhile, he’s blissfully unaware that he’s exposing himself to all sorts of germs.
The science is clear: planes are full of bacteria. Passengers are at increased risk of contracting the flu, colds, and other illnesses due to close proximity and shared surfaces. Yet the rawdogger treats basic hygiene like an optional extra, ensuring that he’ll probably catch something on his flight and then proudly declare, “I never get sick,” as he coughs through the next week.
Rawdogging a Flight is Just Stupid
In the grand scheme of things, rawdogging a flight is not just a misguided attempt to appear tough — it’s actively detrimental to the traveller’s health, comfort, and well-being. From dehydration and jet lag to exposure to germs and unnecessary boredom, the science clearly shows that going unprepared on a flight is a recipe for discomfort and potential harm.
So, to the men who think they’re proving something by rawdogging flights: you’re not. You’re just making your trip harder than it needs to be. Instead of clinging to the absurd idea that real men don’t need comforts, try embracing the reality that smart men prepare for situations that are known to be uncomfortable and taxing. Your body — and everyone around you — will thank you.
Rachel is an intrepid world traveller, lifestyle connoisseuse, and Girls Who Travel’s resident beauty advisor. She is a lover of the ocean, flowers, movies, journalism, and has a penchant for medium-sized tattoos. When she is not busy with life, she writes stories of her globetrots as well as tips & tricks on how to make the best out of travelling.
