“This is your captain speaking. We are making great time toward our destination. In the meantime, I’ll be dimming the lights so I can get some sleep. Goodnight to all.”
That’s what you may be hearing soon on U.S. airlines if the pilot union get’s their wish to sleep during flights. Unions are often accused of demanding extravagant benefits and more money but less work, but this is a new low (or high). Sleeping on planes? Is this supposed to make us feel safer about flying?
But the union and the airlines siding with the union are making their case to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by claiming that there is research supporting the argument that “controlled napping” actually makes a flight safer by ensuring the alertness of the captains during vital periods, like stormy landings. Current FAA rules strictly forbidden even the shortest of rests.
My question: what about alertness during those napping hours? If one pilot sleeps while the co-pilot commands, that is fine. But if both are asleep then that it too risky. Even if nothing is one the radar, one cannot afford to be asleep while flying of all things.
I have no problem flying, and actually enjoy short flights. But this would make me forgo U.S airlines(if possible). And losing customers is something the airlines definitely do not want to risk. Before further pushing for this measure, they should do better to sleep on it. Get it? Ha ha ha ha ha.
