October 14, 2009 7:05 PM
- Text
Katie Couric's Notebook: Pilot Naps
Have you ever wanted to nod off during a long day at work?
Sleep experts say catching a few zzzz's can help us stay focused and be more productive.
So, several airlines and their unions are pressing the FAA to let pilots do it - in the cockpit.
Now, we're not talking about leaving the plane on auto pilot with no one at the controls. Longer flights have two or even three pilots on board.
So, someone would still be in charge if the captain took a power nap. That's common practice on some foreign airlines, including British Airways and Qantas.
Some U-S pilots admit they secretly do it too, but so far it doesn't fly with the FAA.
Airlines are making pilots work harder than ever and argue letting them rest mid-flight could make them more alert while landing.
The whole idea may seem a little alarming at first. But if pilots are able to get a little shut eye in the sky, maybe the rest of us would sleep a little better too.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Sleep experts say catching a few zzzz's can help us stay focused and be more productive.
So, several airlines and their unions are pressing the FAA to let pilots do it - in the cockpit.
Now, we're not talking about leaving the plane on auto pilot with no one at the controls. Longer flights have two or even three pilots on board.
So, someone would still be in charge if the captain took a power nap. That's common practice on some foreign airlines, including British Airways and Qantas.
Some U-S pilots admit they secretly do it too, but so far it doesn't fly with the FAA.
Airlines are making pilots work harder than ever and argue letting them rest mid-flight could make them more alert while landing.
The whole idea may seem a little alarming at first. But if pilots are able to get a little shut eye in the sky, maybe the rest of us would sleep a little better too.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
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