I’m just finishing training on the 350, can someone tell me what percent of pilots are using blow up air pads in the bunk? Are they necessary? And also typically if we leave them in there to share then with the other crew, etc,

Are new mattresses still coming for the bunks??

thanks

 

10% bring them, which means 20% use them.
Typically inflated preflight and taken out after last break or landing.

Air mats are highly desirable on the old mattress. They are nice, but not necessary on the new mattress.

There are several sizes and styles, so you may fly a few trips to decide your favorite. Nemo Flyer self inflating is heavier, bulkier and easier to inflate. Nemo Tensor w Vortex pump sack is a light packable option but takes longer to set up.
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There is an art to preflight inflation so you have the proper inflation at altitude. JNB is easy because field elevation = cabin elevation at cruise.

 

Why would you have to bring an air mattress to a gazillion dollar airplane? Seems like an easy local fix.

 

Delta is slowly replacing the plywood mattress sandwiched in cardboard for a softer memory foam mattress. On a related note, the additional thickness of the air mattress reduces the already limited vertical space in the bunk.

This whole conversation feels like complaining about free beer being too cold.

 

Until you remember it's a safety hazard not being properly rested.

 

As someone who is debating going to this jet, can you explain? RJ guy for 10 years, then 717 for 5, little bus for 2….most sleep I can get is a commute or DH with an aisle seat and “best case” a window without a seat in front. 6’2 in height. I’ve done intl D1 on 763 and it did not work for height and side sleep. Curious on opinions of 330 vs 350 crew rest. Most folks I’m talking to seem to be shorter and no issue either way.


Now looking at WB and debating on 350 seniority vs 330 variety. The sleep part seems to be the discussion point in the guys I’m chatting with in the left seat who “camped” right. Evidently the sleep matters (obviously) so make this crayon simple for me please… No sleep makes WBB a problem and immediate exit to 320A, but I’m trying to give WBB a fair shake before plotting the next 3 decades.

 

I used a D1 seat whenever possible on the 350, which was every flight during covid. Sleep was 10x better than in the bunk, and that's saying something; I have wide shoulders that feel constrained in the "shell" of a flattened D1 seat & side sleeping was not all that great either. I was spoiled by vastly better bunks on 3 previous jets, so it's all relative. Like someone else suggested, this "first word problem" seems on its face to be a whiney thing for pilots to even debate, but it can be zero sleep vs. a bit of sleep vs. great sleep. I've done all three, and my approach phase performance varies in direct proportion to each.

For me, the 350 bunk with old mattress blows. But it beats the heck out of no bunk or the old "Sponge Bob" atrocity that was once considered legit crew rest on the 763. Think of the debate over what the best concealed carry pistol is. Of course, the answer is "the one you have with you." Applies to airplane rest space too.

 

Preflighting SpongeBob > than anything else you were planning on doing before taking off on international trip

 

If you have 3 decades go try WBB. You will know in short order if you can handle the sleep thing. If you go 320A it will be hard to justify the pay cut (golden handcuffs) if your lifestyle adjusts to those rates.

 

This. Do it while young and not yet accustomed to the left seat. If you hate it (very few do) you can pull the handle and bounce to your first left seat.

Try to treat it as an adventure and you will have a great time. Sleep is the one main negative but it’s manageable. So many positives.