Adlerdriver

Now John, to use your own words: Don't put words in my mouth, or attribute to me that which I did not say. I didn't say they were the only way to safely complete a flight. Read. I said the options were limited.

Now who wants to change the world? In a perfect world, that sounds great. You really want to approach this by trying to fix the myriad of circumstances that might result in a fatigued pilot on an airplane? What's your plan with that? How do you suggest we fix a maid accidentally waking a pilot or somehow solve the simple fact that his body clock is still back on Iowa time and he's on the other side of the world? In my opinion, there are too many possible "reasons they can't stay awake" to correct them all. We have fatigue calls if someone can recognize they're not fit to fly before departure. But, what if they feel okay at departure and still struggle enroute? I don't think your suggestion for a solution here is realistic.

Why? What's so critical about giving someone the option? If they work for some pilots why do they need to prove that to some regulatory agency.

Yes. It settles it for me. Of course I can't apply my personal experiences to anyone else. I wasn't suggesting that. But on the other hand, I don't think absolute scientific proof is required to allow an individual the option if they feel it would help them.