WHAT?!?
I was pretty shocked to read this news item today, about a pilot and co-pilot on a redeye that fell asleep until just before they had to put the plane on the ground!! Yikes.
WASHINGTON - According to a new NASA report, two pilots fell asleep during a red-eye flight from Baltimore to Denver in March 2004. They woke up as they were approaching Denver International Airport at twice the allowed speed.
The pilot told officials, “The last 45 minutes of flight, I fell asleep and so did the first officer.” He added, “I woke up … and heard frantic calls from air traffic control.”
The pilot was ordered to land the plane.
What shocked me the most was that the pilot and first officer were actually able to fall asleep on a redeye, something that I’ve never been very good at. Guess the cockpit’s more comfy than coach!
