Those Marvelous Little Travel Pillows

So what's with all the travel pillows that are out these days? Have we become so lazy that we can no longer hold our heads up without support? Yes, I do believe we have. Just cruise down the aircraft aisle next time you're seated in 7E and need to reach the facilities behind 29F. Heads aren't bobbing, no sir. The savvy traveler now has some kind of travel pillow to hold their head in place to avoid the "cart crash" or "window bounce" action.

These little marvels come in all shapes and sizes, colors and textures. Some are those spongy things, some with little pellets and they even have the more inconspicuous less-space hogging blow up versions. Microfiber beads, cotton-poly blend, goose down, synthetic down, buckwheat and millet, there is a pillow out there for just about any taste. There are some travel pillows on the market for children that look like dogs, cats, lions, tigers and bears! Oh my! There is the double chambered or the massaging style and some even have little pouches to store I- don't- know -what. Maybe you could tuck your chewing gum in there or something. Or perhaps your name and address so that your pillow can promptly be returned if lost.

Personally, I don't have one but probably should own one. There is nothing worse than the next seat cuddler. You know the type that falls asleep shortly after take-off and before the beverages are served; they already have their head bobbing forward. You've finally managed to squeeze your tray table down and suddenly the head lands on your shoulder. Look out, they've got you now. Before the flight attendant can serve your drink over the guy's drooling droopy head, the arm and shoulder begin to occupy your space and he looks like he's on the verge of cuddling you like his long lost blankie. No one wants to be this guy, and no one wants to sit next to him.

So it does make sense to have some kind of neck support to keep you from accidental seat spillage. Some aircraft have little neck support "wings" on the back of your seat that you can flip out to keep your head steady. I don't know how many times I flew on this particular aircraft and never noticed these wonderful little in-seat options. They are great, but certainly not like your very own tempur-pedic, hypoallergenic, memory foam pillow with the dust mite resistant velour cover in your choice of 9 colors with matching eye shades and blanket. Perhaps we will all eventually catch up on our much needed sleep thanks to these marvelous little travel pillows. If not, we can at least stop a cuddler or two on our next flight.