Originally Posted by
OpenClimb
And again: Did this have anything to do with a sleep disorder?
My current employer is showing zero concern with sleep patterns and circadian rhythm. We commonly have pairings with an 0700 show, one 2:30 leg, 12 hours of daytime rest followed by a 4 hour red eye followed by another 12 hours rest with a late afternoon show and 2 legs ending at 2200. 10 hours 1 minute on the ground followed by an early morning show on Day 4 with 3 legs and 7:30 flight time.
It's all legal per Part 117. Early morning, sleep in the day, red eye, sleep in the morning, late evening flying, short night, early morning, long Day 4.
Throw in a few nights in the lowest-cost-bidder hotels just to add to the fun. And if I'm fatigued on Day 4 it's obvious that I must have a sleep disorder.
It's easier and less expensive for airline management in concert with a willing FAA to blame the pilots than it is to actually fix the real problem.
Precisely! Domestic flying fatigue could be cut in half within the first month of implementing AM only or PM only or Redeye only trips, no mixing. Virtually every sleep study shows you need x number of hours sleep at the same relative time of day to keep your body alert and functioning well. Most of the mishmash trips offered now go 180 degrees against that. Then people scratch their heads wondering why pilots are getting sick, fat and fatigued. Btw, screwing with your circadian rhythm also causes your body to release increased cortisol leading to more fat storage among other things.
Does anybody know if ALPA is/has or is going to push for more consistent circadian agreeable schedules? I know that companies will say they can't afford it and will go out of business when in fact they would just need to hire 10% more pilots and would still be minting money. This is a serious issue that affects every pilot, during their career and also after they retire when much of the damage cannot be undone.