BHR,
There are many problems with Aviation that are not being discussed here that are actually VERY relavent.
The circadian rythm disruptions are BRUTAL. To try and force their bodies into the new rythm in short order one of the few "LEGAL" things available to a pilot on layover may be alchohol.
The most brutal layovers are not the short 8-12 hour ones. by far the most brutal layovers are in the 24-32 hour range. This may sound odd to you, but what happens is you arrive at the hotel after having already been awake for 24 hours (16 hours of duty, plus travel time to work and travel time to the hotel is usually in this range.) hit the hotel and crash out for 8 to 10 hours. Sounds great. So you are 10 hours into you 24 hour layover and now wide awake. Its not possible to go back to sleep easily. The most likely result is you will be awake for 14 hours strait (feeling pretty good) right up till show time for your next 16 hour duty period leading to fatigue right as you show up to work for your next duty period, continuing on to truly crushing fatigue. So by the time you set the brakes back in your home base you have been up for 30 plus hours. NOW you get to drive home...
Its a regulation problem as much as a money problem. A long over water flight cannot usually be followed up by a 10-12 hour layover which might actually be ideal for circadian rythm problems (and even if they were possible legally, commercial pressures as in what time the aircraft leaves might make it impossible)because of rest requirements that forbid flying x number of hours in x period of time. (rules that are sensible and VERY necesary for short haul, that are vicious and harmfull in this situation)
In the golden days of aviation this was less of a problem because long haul frequencies were often only one or two flights per week. so the layover lengths would usually be well on the far side of 48 hours (enough time to acclimate to your next reporting period) because another aircraft wouldn't arrive at the station till several days later. Or, the other thing that might happen is the aircraft might simply park till the crew was rested, so a SHORT layover would result. The commericial pressures were also much less (not as much competition in the idustry).
Now with high frequency flying and a strict eye on the bottom line combined with deteriorating employment contracts the pressure is on to make crews more "productive". What happens in a large number of 24-32 hour layovers.
In desperation the crews will try anything to go to sleep. A beer or two or 3 might seam like the solution, but its a slippery slope frought with peril, but there is often no other alternative left to the crew member. So 12 hours before departure you try and have a drink to go to sleep... maybe it works, maybe it won't, maybe that 2nd one will do the trick...
But Pilots are being ground up by the modern scheduling practices and this is just one of the symptoms.
Cheers
Wino