Surviving red eyes

[Dan Roman]

Skip coffee and workout in the morning. I can usually get a good nap after that.
When time zones reek havoc on my sleep pattern I've had good luck with a sleep aid I got at Whole Foods. It's called Power to Sleep PM. It's a melatonin supplement with some nutrients that aid relaxation. It seems to work quite well. For sure stay away from meds like Ambian. I know some who will take a Tylenol PM when they really need to sleep. I prefer the natural route.

 

[Ty Webb]

When I was doing redeyes, I would stay up a few hours on the West Coast, then get up pretty early. Get out and walk. Come back to the hotel around lunch time. Greasy Bacon Cheeseburger, 2 pints Sierra Nevada . . . . sleep, not a problem!

Wake up in the evening, hit the gym, head to the airport. Drink coffee until Memphis. Land. Go home.

 

[DA50pilot]

When I was doing redeyes, I would stay up a few hours on the West Coast, then get up pretty early. Get out and walk. Come back to the hotel around lunch time. Greasy Bacon Cheeseburger, 2 pints Sierra Nevada . . . . sleep, not a problem!

Wake up in the evening, hit the gym, head to the airport. Drink coffee until Memphis. Land. Go home.

You forgot, whine to my FO all the way!!!!!

 

[Ty Webb]

You forgot, whine to my FO all the way!!!!!

Hey, keep your shoes on, pal . . . . if you don't like it, you can always go back to flying for Mustache Pete and the S. Florida Jet Mafia. . . . we'll have him serve you up some of those 32-hour Bora Bora turns!

:laugh:

 

[Abernathy]

Regional guy here but with the kind of schedules we run, thought I'd offer my tip for falling asleep early...melatonin. Will gently get you to sleep for about 4 hours after which, oddly, you'll wake up totally refreshed. Your mileage may vary.

 

[dojetdriver]

Regional guy here but with the kind of schedules we run, thought I'd offer my tip for falling asleep early...melatonin. Will gently get you to sleep for about 4 hours after which, oddly, you'll wake up totally refreshed. Your mileage may vary.

I'm definitely in the YMMV demographic.

I can fall asleep for 4(ish) hours with/without melatonin and feel pretty good, but not for long. There's NO way I can do a 12-14 hour duty period (I KNOW, NOT a red eye style duty period). But any way you cut it you're going to go into a sleep deficit.

 

[typhoonpilot]

Easiest way to get used to the short red eyes in the USA is to fly the long ones of international flying. Once you've done a 10 hours leg with 2 pilots in the middle of the night you won't complain about a short 4-5 hour leg. Or even worse the sub-continent turns out of the Middle East. Four hours south to Traivandrum' couple hours on the ground; then 4 hours back. A 12 plus hour duty day from midnight to noon.


TP

 

[waveflyer]

Yeah TP, - on the same token, the best way to get used to a little bit of cocaine is to have a whole bunch of it

 

[typhoonpilot]

Yeah TP, - on the same token, the best way to get used to a little bit of cocaine is to have a whole bunch of it

The more correct corollary would be: The best way to say that a sprint triathlon is easy is to have done ironman triathlons.

I remember thinking how horrible the Las Vegas to Charlotte red eyes were. If I had to do them today I would consider it a walk in the park compared to some of the night flights I've been doing in the last 11 years.



TP

 

[BentOver]

On the day before many 8 hr red eyes from Asia I have a tried and true technique for napping.... I close my eyes and fall asleep... Works wonders.....

YMMV



If that doesn't work look at a lot of porn, tire yourself out, get your core bod temperature to 89 degrees, wrap a towel around your nuts and pray for hypothermia to settle in... Then hide under your bed, throw some earplugs in and pretend your in an ancient temple looking for lost treasure.... When you find the treasure you can then proceed with the nap.

 

[pilotyip]

don't forget controlled napping in the cockpit to stay alert for the approach into your destination.

 

[dhc8fo]

Thanks guys. Good stuff. I will try some of what was suggested (except the towel/balls idea...interesting but not how I roll :laugh.

I'm talking about the east to west late night, and then all day layover, leave late back to east coast into the early hours.

 

[General Lee]

I usually fly allnight with three or even four total pilots (over 12 hours needs 4), so when I get tired, I go back to the rest seat and take a 3 hour nap.(I try to get second or third break) When I used to do domestic allnighters, I would stay up as late as possible and then sleep in as late as possible. I never could take small naps before a flight.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[crxpilot]

Find yourself a nice whore, that usually gets you tired out!

 

[TheCheat]

I find Melatonin works to help me fall asleep earlier than I'm used to. But in return, I dream more vividly and seem to miss out on deeper sleep. Like you said, YMMV.