Angela Philipps, Contributor

Don't pretend that you have no clue what the 'Mile High Club' (MHC) is. The question is, are you a part of it? If not, do you wish to join? And why was it given this name, and by whom?

OK, for those of you who really don't know what I am talking about, the 'Mile High Club' is a slang phrase used to include anyone who has participated insexual intercourse while in an aeroplane flying 5,260 feet (one mile), or higher, above ground. However, there are people who insist that you must be at exactly one mile to qualify for membership!

Lawrence Spencer is thought to be the first and founding member of the MHC. According to Wikipedia, in November 1916, he was having sex with a lady while flying over New York when the plane crashed into the water. No one was hurt, but due to this, and his involvement with inventing the autopilot at Sperry Corporation, he is considered to be the initiator of this group. Technically, he and the lass in question did not officially join the MHC because the term was not yet coined, and they did, in fact, crash from a of only 500 feet.

So what is the appeal of being a part of this guild? What makes it that more exciting to engage in sexual activity in a plane than any other public domain? Is it the low pressure in the cabin's atmosphere that apparently increases the intensity of orgasms? Do the vibrations help arouse participants? Or is it simply a personal fantasy associated with pilots and flight attendants which gets the pulse going? Who knows?

I have not joined and, to be quite honest, the thought of being jammed up against the toilet seat or basin is so unappealing it actually grosses me out. Bathrooms on aeroplanes are hardly the most comfortable or hygienic of places! Of course, there are those who do it in their seats, and at least that is a tad more acceptable on the roomy and cleanliness fronts. But again, I have a problem with the fact that I would have to sit there after someone has been at it! It's got nothing to do with being a prude, but merely the thought that the seat covers are not changed like sheets in a hotel after a guest's use.

So, aside from the thrill of it all, or not, one must also consider whether the act of becoming a member of the MHC could get you into serious trouble. There has been much discussion over whether it is legal or not. Indecent public behaviour is a criminal offence,and I guess if someone dared to report it to the police, then there could well be a case in hand. There are also differing laws in countries around the world, so the location of the plane and its origin ought to be taken into account.

One must also keep in mind the airline safety regulations. Passengers are expected to have their seat belts fastened for take-off and landing, so anyone really wanting to join the 'Mile High Club' would have to be pretty inventive and agile to achieve their goal without breaking the law. Not to mention that the entire population of the plane is pretty aware of its surroundings at these times, and you'd be sure to have an audience!

Last, but not least, do not forget that security measures have become stricter when it comes to taking out your weapon during flight! Safety does come first, ladies and gentlemen, so keep your belts fastened!

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