Originally Posted by AndyJS
What if something happened just when the Captain was taking a break, with the First Officer in charge of the aircraft?
What I mean is: something the Captain could have dealt with himself but where the FO with limited flying experience wasn't able to react quickly enough in the few vital seconds when it could have been sorted out. The Captain got back to the flight deck a few seconds later but by then it was too late.
It was suggested that the timing of that moment to take a break would be a bit weird. 40 mins in and precisely between ATC. Doesn't make a lot of sense but then what does...?