Plane Answers: Three inexpensive ways to make flying safer

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Given that the Colgan crew, particularly the first officer, had somewhat lengthy commutes, is there any thought, either at the Fed level or the airlines, regulating time of arrival at home plate and time of departure? I can envision a requirement which would have pilots with extensive commute times arriving at home plate, say, 12 to 18 hours early so that adequate rest might be had. I realize this would place a financial burden on someone, be it the individual pilot or the carrier. However, given the lengthy commute distances of many pilots, it would appear to be unreasonable to expect these airmen to be adequately rested. I would view the Colgan tradgedy as a wake-up call to actively address the scenario of pilots with extensive commutes.

It's been a number of years...there is/was a Ramada nearby the Charlotte Airport which had a suite reserved for short-stay airline personnel. As I recall, it was a bit on the funky side, not quite kept up to normal guest standards, but, given a sleeping bag, this ole boy did just fine.

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