Edited on Tue Nov-01-05 01:05 PM by Chan790
I have a guess, but I don't know if it's right or just a urban myth.
It may have nothing to do with aerodynamics at all...I make a point whenever I'm on a long plane trip to get up and take a walk up and down the aisle because I was told the combination of pressurization and sitting for long periods of time is believed to increase your chances of blood clots and cardiovascular disease.
Standing up, walking or doing any sort of movement to increase blood flow is supposed to reduce the risk...so does taking an asprin. Perhaps your pilot was concerned about your health...or maybe he just dislikes having to make emergency landings for heart attacks. If anybody is a doctor and can shed some light on this to say if there is any truth to it?
Edited to add: there is a flight and airlines columnist for Salon that takes questions like yours about the instruction to walk to the back of the plane. Perhaps he would know the answer? I think his name is Patrick Smith or something like that.
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