... or sleeping/napping at the controls, as critics would put it.
The research I'm doing for BBC News continues, and something which I've heard varying opinions about is the issue of sleeping/napping/controlled rest during less intensive phases of flight eg during the cruise, as opposed to approach.
Obviously, I'd imagine there's far more scope for this for longhaul pilots, than for shorthaul flight crews?
Is controlled rest etc etc becoming more widely used in shorthaul operations? Is this a problem? Do you feel fully alert as soon as you wake up, or do you need a few moments to regain full faculties?
I'm asking these questions because I genuinely don't know - I'm a journalist, not a pilot.
Very keen to hear your thoughts on this.
Best wishes
Ian Shoesmith
BBC News
+44 (0) 7769 977665
[email protected]