http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/4441/40/
They say it happens more than you realize. Pilots tell us they're so exhausted they fall asleep at the controls. Now, there's more proof and more controversy.
While federal investigators haven't determined if that was the case, people in the airline industry nationwide are talking about it and telling us about it.
KGMB9's Stacy Loe first broke the story and continues her investigation.
Since our story aired, I've received more than 50 e-mails from pilots across the country.
Many claim to be current or former Mesa airlines employees who say this is a problem that needs to be addressed. Some of their claims are chilling. They agreed to go on the record, if we did not use their names.
When you fly do you know how rested your pilots are?
"On almost every e-mail we received it was the same story. Pilots saying fatigue is a real factor and sleeping in the cockpit happens more often than passengers realize.I have personally flown flights with captains that have fallen asleep," writes one pilot for Mesa.. which owns go! Airlines.
Another former Mesa pilot we spoke to admits he's done it, but say's he's not proud of it.
"I've fallen asleep, there have been times I've told the other crew members I am out you have the airplane."
According to FAA regulations, pilots can fly for 8 hours but can be on duty up to 16 hours a day.
One former Mesa pilot says long days were standard practice at the airlines, where he flew for 6 years.
"There would be many, many times that we would be on duty for 16 hours and completely wiped out. And then depending if it was on a 3 or 4 day trip, you know that could be day 1 or day 2 and you still had 2 more days to go."
Another former Mesa pilot tells KGMB9 he recently resigned during a trip that included flying and commute time that would have approached 22 hours. A copy of his schedule confirms that.
"And after that they wanted me to have minimum rest of 9 hours and go back to work and I didn't find it plausible it was absolutely incredible."
The rules allow a minimum of 8 hours of rest time. It starts shortly after pilots land the plane. But it doesn't mean a crew member is getting 8 hours of sleep.
"From that point, you still need to get off the plane, get your stuff, walk out, wait for a shuttle bus that could be another 10-15 minutes and then it could be another 20 minutes to get to your hotel, get to your room."ll airlines have a policy designed to protect pilots. Those who are too tired to fly can call in fatigued without fear of retribution. But a former Mesa pilot says it's not that easy.
"You can't just call in fatigued because you are tired. If a schedule is technically legal FAA minimum legal then it's not enough, not enough of a reason."
Mesa's CEO Jonathan Ornstein, "We don't write the rules, we abide by them. We've done it for 25 years and will continue to do so for the next 25 years."
But does legal mean safe? The FAA says yes.
"We believe current work rule hours are sufficient and effective. It's really up to the pilots and the airline to make sure they are properly rested," said Ian Gregor, FAA Pacific Regional Spokesman.
The FAA considered changing the rules back in 1995 but couldn't reach a consensus with the aviation community.
Pilot fatigue is on the National Transportation Safety Boards most wanted list when it comes to safety improvements.
The agency has asked the FAA to modify its rules to take into consideration research findings in fatigue and sleep issues . On its website, the NTSB says the FAA's response on this issue has been unacceptable.
"We take everything the NTSB says very seriously and in many cases we do implement the recommendations," said Gregor. Not soon enough for pilots who say until the flight rules are changed, fatigue will remain a factor in the skies.
The FAA says if in fact pilots are falling asleep in cockpits or if their company has forced them to fly when they've been too tired, they want to know about it. Only then can the agency do something about it.