I flew most of my career on these long flights.
When was with PanAm, I lived in Los Angeles, based JFK or MIA.
Commuted from home the day before trip, so to get well rested.
To go home, yes, was tiring, I went home upon return to base.
Such as operating BAH-FRA then remained on plane to JFK, then deadhead to LAX.
Often was 24 hours from bed to bed. If not longer.
xxx
One thing that most crews make a mistake is to try to adjust to local time.
I never did that, ever. I always remained with my "body" time.
If arriving to destination, I had my happy hour at the hotel bar even if it was early morning.
Then would have dinner and wine, who cares it is "their breakfast time".
Would sleep when I felt like it. Daylight, afternoon, who cares.
xxx
If I woke up and local time was evening, I would have "my breakfast eggs" and coffee.
Again, who cares, it is their dinner time, but for me, my breakfast.
Never tried to do like some do... trying to change my time.
Flight attendants are the worst in not observing that technique. They "need" to go shopping.
And the young pilot nerds and geeks in quest of the local ladies in discotheques.
xxx
We pilot often seem to be brainwashed in thinking "flight time". Easy math.
Wrong. Think instead "duty time". From crew bus to airport to arrival hotel.
You get up generally 3 or 4 hrs before departure schedule time.
Your "duty bed-to-bed time" is the one taxing your body comfort.
xxx
Some airlines select 4 or 5 star hotels (hopefully with bargain crew rates).
Fact is, these are often 1 hour crew bus ride away from airport.
In these hotels, you spend a fortune for a coffee, no refills.
Why not select a clean and convenient 3 star hotel near the airport if it is a short layover.
Then again, some airlines take the nearest cheap rat hole motel near airport.
Just next to the all-night maintenance area running engines.
xxx
Of course, some of you senior pilots, thanks to seniority, can fly short haul and be home each night.
You make me laugh, 4 sectors in a 737 is harder on your body than a 747 long haul single sector.
It is about time your airline pay you by company position/seniority, not by airplane size.
Consider my advice - many of you do maybe the same as I always did.
xxx
FAA is, I understand, better for rest requirements than EU-OPS.
As far as I recall, they always were. FAA 121 rest rules are fine.
And likely these new rules will improve things.
I think EU-OPS rules for 2 pilot crews are not adequate.
Heard there are guys who fly EUR-Carribean and back with 2 pilot crews...!
xxx
All the best to all of you.
Happy contrails