I know of no domestic carrier that allows "napping" by the flight crew. There are a few international carriers that allow one member of the flight crew to rest, but the others must remain at their stations. Even in the current world of glass cockpits, intertial navigation, GPS, and the like things can still go wrong in a double naught hurry. This guy should have been concentrating on managing the airplane. Oh, btw, did I mention that I am a pilot?
Didn't need to, I picked up on it right off.
My dad was a pilot (military and commercial). His brother (also USAF and was a military/commercial pilot). His other brother was a US Navy pilot (but never commercial - just a pilot and later a trainer).
I've heard it all.
They were in the military in the early/mid/late 50's, depending who you're referring to. They went commercial in the 60's (Hughes AirWest, Braniff, Eastern, Delta, American). Retired and died in the late 80's and early 90's.
Actually, one is still living - the Navy fighter pilot (uncle). My dad and his younger brother (USAF) didn't live so long...
But whatever.
The best quote I've heard regarding pilots was "Pilots don't want to be lectured on how to do their job."
Ha. They left out the "or anything else" part. Ha. Arrogant fux.
The only people more arrogant are astronauts. I suppose they deserve the REAL "Sky God" title.
Anyhoo... Let's not pretend that a commercial pilot has any sort of hardship whatever. They work less hours in a month than most people work in a week, and get 5+ times what they'll make. I've seen it. It's a good gig if you can get it, but consider yourself damn lucky if you do.