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.
In this post:
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?
Who the hell cares about this random weirdo? No one cares.
Going to Europe from New York? All you need to do is catch a daytime flight to London and gradually adjust your schedule the week before you depart. No jetlag. Boom.
Idiot. His body will pass most of these unnecessary supplements, but my condolences to his kidneys.
Tart cherry powder? Where does one even buy such a thing? Does he buy it at the same shop that sells fetal grindings and Oil of Lorenzo?
Going to resist the temptation to label this guy but for anyone reading..,
Not eating or drinking on plane is personal choice. Keeping hydrated is great.
Too much magnesium is a terrible idea when travelling because of the gastrointestinal impact. Too much vitamin e can be risky as it can thin the blood.
Makes him sound absurdly neurotic and perhaps a little delicate. Doesn't bode well for Boom ???
So, now a Tech Bro wants to be influencer/shill for the supplements industry. What a huge pile.
Hard techbro on LinkedIn wibes..
Basically. Add ‘grifter,’ because this ‘project’ is all ‘hype’ and not gonna happen.
I simply luv this website comments sections …. one is constantly being asked to believe that each login name is exclusively used by only one person. However, as plain Jane, the resident syntax expert has failed to point out the obvious, one is reliant upon others to air their suspicions too.
Commenters mean clicks, clicks mean cents, cents makes sense, yes?
Afterthought, I forgot to add …. there is some good advice below on the article subject, however, in my opinion and experience, Blake Scholl’s advice is suspect.
“The lady doth protest too much, me thinks.”
Well... I do go eat before and go to sleep as soon as possible if the flight is less than 8 hours. But the rest... entirely unnecessary and sort of insane. As long as I can manage 4-5 decent hours on the plane I can made it through the day in Europe and stay awake until somewhere between 8 and 10pm. And I bet I'm older than he is... That's a lot of drama.
I'm not convinced its possible to change into/out of pajamas without at least a minimal touch of the lav floor which is probably covered in dried urine.
I don't think most of this routine is far off. I don't take all of those supplements, but I do eat in the lounge beforehand, change into a tank top and sleeping shorts during boarding, immediately put the seat into bed mode when reaching cruising altitude, take a Xanax and magnesium, noise cancelling AirPods in, eye mask on, pass out until landing. Wake up, take lots of vitamin C + Bs, drink lots of water. Works every time.
I think he may have been (indirectly) making the case for supersonic travel.
He thanks @Fountbio - that’s the makers of flykitt, which is a kit they sell that includes light blocking glasses, supplements, and an app that calculates step by step directions for when to use the foregoing items as well as exactly when to sleep during your trip (you input your flights into the app). I have now used it three times (going to Australia from NYC, returning to NYC from Australia, and going to Maui...
He thanks @Fountbio - that’s the makers of flykitt, which is a kit they sell that includes light blocking glasses, supplements, and an app that calculates step by step directions for when to use the foregoing items as well as exactly when to sleep during your trip (you input your flights into the app). I have now used it three times (going to Australia from NYC, returning to NYC from Australia, and going to Maui from NYC). I followed the steps closely, which was very easy to do, and I had essentially no jet lag all three times. My husband didn’t use the kit and was very jet lagged each of those times (I view that as something of a control). Just my experience, but I’d say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
I am the husband mentioned here. The glasses (especially glasses on top of glasses)…I just can’t.
A guy who likes to smell his own farts. And given his regiment I imagine they are plentiful.
He's a clown and you're a dupe for entertaining anything he says. Big time CEO/founder and three posts deep on his X I found this hard hitting content-
Is it just me or is @Amazon
Prime getting slower? A book I order today won't arrive until Wednesday.
He sounds insane.
“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.”
Blatantly stealing my jet lag strategy for clicks SMDH
I think the golden rules for me are:
- Force yourself onto the next timezone the night before/during the flight (ie wake up at end of flight if it lands in morning, don't sleep/minimal if arriving in evening etc)
- Don't eat/drink on the plane
- Pop a melatonin before sleeping
- Change into pyjamas
I might try adding some of the additional supplements he recommends. But this pretty much works for me
This is so silly. Does he know there are day flights to the EU? Yeah, it costs more but you're the CEO and can afford it.
Only to LHR. I greatly prefer them but most land too late to connect same day if LHR is not your final destination.
And AA tries to make you sleep by darkening the windows right after you leave from ORD at 0800. Damn annoying.
This person is just so uninteresting!
Boarding a flight in pyjamas should be banned. Honestly.
He said he changes on board before takeoff, not boarding in pajamas.
How old is this groomer? I'm probably older than him. Flying east is a cakewalk; what a baby.
I love how half of his "routine" is just throwing random crap inside him. Are we sure he's a CEO of a plane company, not a dietary supplement producer?
My rule for any longhaul is simple: I can extend the day but I can't shorten it. So whenever I travel, I push through with minimal sleep until it's time to go to bed at my destination and that's it. I book flights that make this...
I love how half of his "routine" is just throwing random crap inside him. Are we sure he's a CEO of a plane company, not a dietary supplement producer?
My rule for any longhaul is simple: I can extend the day but I can't shorten it. So whenever I travel, I push through with minimal sleep until it's time to go to bed at my destination and that's it. I book flights that make this easy whenever possible. Short power nap on eastbounds (e.g. to Asia) is okay but I'm cautious to not make it too long or I'd have trouble falling asleep in the evening.
You can preempt that by missing sleep at the origin. I recently needed to choose a connection to free up married segment award availability for an AF transatlantic flight departing CDG at 10:35. Instead of doing the 'sensible' thing and getting a connection from Italy etc and an airport hotel, I chose a 04:30 departure from IST in order to battle through with little/no sleep and make sure I'm tired enough to get 3-4 sleep...
You can preempt that by missing sleep at the origin. I recently needed to choose a connection to free up married segment award availability for an AF transatlantic flight departing CDG at 10:35. Instead of doing the 'sensible' thing and getting a connection from Italy etc and an airport hotel, I chose a 04:30 departure from IST in order to battle through with little/no sleep and make sure I'm tired enough to get 3-4 sleep on the plane, powering me through for a few more hours but also making me feel sleepy again at around my normal bedtime in the new time zone.
*3-4 hours of sleep on the plane
I guess i am superman
I reside in Vegas
I do west coast - Italy twice a month on average in J or F for a Fri-Mon weekend. I leave from the office and after i wake up from my US bound redeye i start working at 7am. In Italy i go straight to the tennis or golf club after the redeye, then i drive to my hometown for 2.5 hours, to return...
I guess i am superman
I reside in Vegas
I do west coast - Italy twice a month on average in J or F for a Fri-Mon weekend. I leave from the office and after i wake up from my US bound redeye i start working at 7am. In Italy i go straight to the tennis or golf club after the redeye, then i drive to my hometown for 2.5 hours, to return to FCO before my AM flight to the US.
The remaining two weekends I spend them in NYC where i fly redeye (F or J its still an upright seat) and back to the Ewest coast with an evening flight, after which i resume my work routine.
Twelve months a year for the past 3 years with some exceptions (in the winter those weekends can become skiing weekends in Utah). I do not say no to some limited booze in the lounges and planes, I eat on board often, do not use melatonin or other medications, perhaps I should hydrate more but certainly do not bring extra water. And I am perfectly fine (or so i think!)
To your last point, I am not so sure!
agree :))
but it feels ok
I think he should focus more on the fact that his sst doesn't have a suitable engine.
Bingo. He’s a fraud.
Might as well be pitching ‘hyperloop’…
So.... a benadryl and a gin & tonic is no longer the plan?
I prefer Ambien but what do I know.
It’s complicated but whatever works for someone. Those are strict rituals that likely fall into other facets of his life.
Me , I like the precision of 4pm departures from Houston that arrive into Europe the next morning at 7am. I can unwind on the flight , fall asleep, then hit the ground running.
Ben - after a flight you are heading to a nice hotel to sleep or write a trip report. He has 20 meetings after landing where he needs to make big decisions, so staying at 100% performance level and combating jet lag is a necessity. I honestly appreciate his advice.
Vincent - a little rude. Show some respect.
I hope you noticed as well how just starting with one's name is also rude.... how do you like it?
Russ - would you kindly point out which part of my reply was rude? I’m suggesting we should think about different perspectives and the fact that we all have different lifestyles, jobs and the demand on our mind and body from those activities. The CEO’s job is demanding and has a significantly impact for his company, employees and customers.
Starting with one’s name has been the tradition of written communication for hundreds of years...
Russ - would you kindly point out which part of my reply was rude? I’m suggesting we should think about different perspectives and the fact that we all have different lifestyles, jobs and the demand on our mind and body from those activities. The CEO’s job is demanding and has a significantly impact for his company, employees and customers.
Starting with one’s name has been the tradition of written communication for hundreds of years and still the standard today. By starting with ‘Ben’, I’m simply directly responding to Ben who wrote this blog, rather than other people like those in the comment section.
And no, I don’t find it offensive that you respond with my name at the beginning. What I find rude and condescending is when people make accusations without basis and want to lecture others based on prejudice.
Vincent, your nuts are still hiding up there like they owe someone money and your personality never left the womb either. Whining about “tradition” while slurping billionaire boot like it’s your job?
You wrote a whole dissertation to defend starting a sentence with a name because you’re too soft to handle a comment section without a safe word. Pathetic. Keep crying, keep coping, and keep those sad little peas warm up there, buster. The...
Vincent, your nuts are still hiding up there like they owe someone money and your personality never left the womb either. Whining about “tradition” while slurping billionaire boot like it’s your job?
You wrote a whole dissertation to defend starting a sentence with a name because you’re too soft to handle a comment section without a safe word. Pathetic. Keep crying, keep coping, and keep those sad little peas warm up there, buster. The rest of us will be down here with actual balls and zero time for your fragile nonsense.
I’ve heard more than enough about people’s nuts today. Why is this BS tolerated?
Agreed, I'm not sure why Vincent is being so disrespectful.
Russ, 1990, Ben or Ben’s defender, or whomever you really are …. One actually finds that it is you who is being “Disrespectful” and not Vincent. Vincent has posted in a manner befitting a gentleman and nothing less.
Vincent is 100% correct to point out the convention of starting a correspondence with the name of the person to whom one is addressing. Only the American way of adding the symbol @ before the addressees...
Russ, 1990, Ben or Ben’s defender, or whomever you really are …. One actually finds that it is you who is being “Disrespectful” and not Vincent. Vincent has posted in a manner befitting a gentleman and nothing less.
Vincent is 100% correct to point out the convention of starting a correspondence with the name of the person to whom one is addressing. Only the American way of adding the symbol @ before the addressees name, has replaced the word “Dear”, in recent times.
@ Russ McArthur or whomever you really are, I repeat, it is you who is actually the disrespectful character in this scenario, yes?
Aero, I’m not Russ. Seeing as he’s using gental-based humor, he could be a reincarnation of @Penile’s various alias, but, then again, you could be him, too. Perhaps, it’s just a public website and many people comment. All plausible. Try not to get so worked-up over it.
To the person who is logged in as Russ McArthur …. You are proving yourself to be a most obnoxious individual. It is you who is “Pathetic”, who is “Crying” and obviously such a “Fragile” poster of babbling “Nonsense”. Do grow up or crawl back into your box child.
Why are you instigating a fight with him though?
Anyone who says DGAF in public is probably someone I don't really respect the opinions of. Especially someone in a leadership position.
Agree it would be better if in more moderate language, such as "tough".
But the fact that it is immediately after admitting to looking like a dork suggests some modesty.
Working with (let alone FOR) this as*hat must be an absolute joy). The smart money is on BOOM going BUST before they enter production. Nothing but cleverly-allocated PR expenditures for any airlines who are “invested.”
Perhaps it’s performing the overly complicated routine that corrects for the jet lag, like a placebo effect? As a result, his routine works so well because he’s giving himself an entire pill bottle worth of placebos
Seems a bit excessive :)
My routine:
- eat at the airport if the flight departs around 8PM or later, otherwise on the plane
- take a ”long-lasting” prescription sleeping pill when the plane is in the air
(- eat if flight departs no later than 8PM)
- brush teeth etc
- recline seat and take another, stronger prescription sleeping pill
- put on Bose Quietcomfort
- sleep until landing
- drink a lot of water the first day
Works perfectly fine :)
Minus some of the hyperspecific vitamins and supplements. This really isn't that complicated, I think many people take those in some shape or form anyways.
It's actually pretty sound advice for sleeping in general, and applying it in the context of flying on an airplane. Feels like we're making mountains out of molehills.
@ yoloswag420 -- "Minus some of the hyperspecific vitamins and supplements." Right, but there are eight of them...
There's people that do stuff like that, hence the rise of the supplement industry, why spend your time thinking about it and feeling exhausted about it?
Agreed - most of the vitamins and supplements do nothing for him, minus the melatonin and perhaps magnesium. Outside of that it's sensible and standard advice for avoiding jetlag, and not that complicated.
"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."
That's probably worth forgetting. How'd you like to find yourself standing on the tarmac alone in your jammies if something goes wrong during takeoff and requires an emergency evacuation?
Though I guess a lot of Americans do basically wear pyjamas as clothes anyway.
You forgot where seemingly every male wears ugly shorts and flip-flops.
+1 on your point, removing shoes for amenity kit socks and pyjamas is a recipe for disaster.
I live in Australia. Once saw a guy in the Sydney DOMESTIC terminal in QF J Pyjamas. Meaning he not only left them on for landing, but also all the way through Customs and on the transfer bus from international to domestic,
If he's working this hard to be asleep as soon as possible onboard, and stay asleep as long as possible, what exactly is all that water for?
I'm always super careful about keeping water with me when I travel as well but I've never consumed nearly that much even on a 15-hr ultra-long-haul.
If I drank two huge bottles of water, there wouldn’t be much sleeping.
I don't see a correlation. It is a fact that being well-hydrated is extremely beneficial to sleep quality.
Your Bladder Must Vary
I do this, though it's not before sleep, it's while I sleep. I partially wake up and drink water a bunch of times throughout the night (also sip water pretty much constantly throughout the day).
Most of my flights across the pond from North America to Europe or the UK leave late evening and arrive at zero dark thirty the next morning. My routine is eat before the flight, ignore the meal after take off if one is offered, no alcohol, sleep. eat breakfast, such as it is on most flights, then to the hotel. Book an extra night, i.e. the night before arrival in order to have the room...
Most of my flights across the pond from North America to Europe or the UK leave late evening and arrive at zero dark thirty the next morning. My routine is eat before the flight, ignore the meal after take off if one is offered, no alcohol, sleep. eat breakfast, such as it is on most flights, then to the hotel. Book an extra night, i.e. the night before arrival in order to have the room available when I arrive at the hotel, usually around 8 am. Shower, sleep for three hours then get up for lunch and usually I can function normally after that. The cost of the extra night is minimal compared to feeling human the first day.
That’s great advice
I have been pondering something similar with regards to the Hotel
How do you keep the Hotel from cancelling your booking, if you show up the next morning after you are supposed to check-in? Is a mail to Them explaining you Will show up in the morning enough?
Confirm before via email with the front desk that Check In will be the next morning. It was a bit nerve-racking the first time but has worked so far. Might be a better way and other OMAAT readers may have experience or advice. Used to wander around in a haze basically killing time for the entire morning waiting for check in at 2 or 3 PM and realized that the first day was lost.
@Greenland ATC - Call them, request a confirmation email.
Excellent tips. Will endeavor to employ them on my next TATL flight.
Oh, 1990, is this another one of your personas?
So, I am not the only person who is thinking such a thing, Lee …. :-)
Bah, no. Russ is his own man. I agree with some of his stuff, like, mocking this ‘CEO,’ because Boom is going nowhere. Besides, I was TPAC recently, anyway.