Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
Karnak,
I have a few questions for you regarding your experience with CDO's:
1 - How much sleep, if any, did you generally get during the day?
2 - How much sleep, if any, did you generally get during the night at the hotel?
3 - On average, how much sleep did you generally have during the 24 hours preceding your flight back to base in the morning?
4 - What does sleep science say about how much sleep a normal human being needs to function at 100%?
5 - Was the FAR 117 10 hour minimum rest break with an 8 hour uninterrupted sleep opportunity based on sleep science?
Do you have a feel for how other pilots who have done CDO's would answer those first three questions?
1. It varied. On days following a redeye-turn or other night flying, it was usually in the 5-6 hour range. On "normal" days, a little less.
2. Usually layover minus an hour. Some of the hotels were very close, and conducive to the CDO. The sign in sheet and room key were in the van. In fact, only two of the hotels I can remember DIDN'T make it easy to get quickly to the room, and they weren't bad. Personally, I don't have sleep issues - which is why I liked "illegals".
3. It varied. When I could hold them, I planned for them. I found it easier to plan for sleep, and to recover from the flying, than it was when I flew 11-12 day Asia trips. Those things messed me up for a few days afterward. With CDO's, I was getting my flying done is fewer days, and that made my planning worth it.
4. I think it says something about being rested. In my experience with CDO's, I felt safe, and MORE rested than I did on Day 9 of a 12-day, regardless of how much planning I did. I trust the science on WOCL. The CDO's I've flown allowed me to sleep during my WOCL's.
5. Yes.
I'm not sure. Doesn't matter. If we get CDO's, I'll bid them. If we don't, I won't bid them.