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How is that possible?

That was my first reaction to word of an FAA investigation involving two go! pilots for possibly falling asleep in the cockpit - yes, during a flight. If you didn't hear about it, you can actually watch the story by clicking here.

But my shock wasn't cut & dry. It came on many levels.

First, of course, I was upset that any flight crew might put its passengers in danger by doing something so amazingly irresponsible. And even if investigators find the pilots weren't actually asleep, they still need to account for the fact the flight wasn't in radio contact for 25 minutes, and overflew its destination by 15 miles.

And, yes, I was surprised to find out this incident was reported on a very short flight. This wasn't a 6 hour red eye, or a 12 hour international flight. This was a 29 minute flight between two islands at ten in the morning! Wheels up, level off, descend, touch down.

But my real shock came from the idea that any pilot would simply be able to fall asleep while at the controls of an aircraft. And in this investigation, not just one pilot, but both.

Before I go on, I realize there are increasing pressures on the business, and many pilots are being worked longer days by their airline, with a wider variety of shifts, and changing duty locations that often require commuting before the actual flight. And I know that creates fatigue.

But here's where that argument should be thrown out of the cockpit window...

From my very first flight in the left seat of an airplane, I was struck with an amazing and awesome passion and energy for aviation. That hasn't changed some 200 hours later, and I don't expect it to change 2000 hours from now.

Each second of each flight still captures my absolute attention, demands my best, and almost scares me to the point of being the best pilot I can possibly be so that each flight ends as safely as it begins. It's not a choice, it's an involuntary reaction.

And that's even when I'm flying alone, without dozens or hundreds of people sitting behind me, relying on me to get them to where they need to go safely and soundly.

I don't care if it's over an endless desert, a hazy valley, or vast ocean. There's always something to do. Something to plan. And something to contemplate related to the flight. Even in planes that virtually fly themselves now.

There's no room for boredom in aviation. Could you shut your eyes in a state-of-the-art jetliner with so much to look at inside, and with the gorgeous Hawaiian Islands to glance at below, on a half-hour flight, with trusting passengers behind you? No way.

If these pilots really were asleep, then they're in the wrong business. Go find a better flying job. Or go find a cubicle to sleep in.

Article by Chris Archer; Send him an email

"Right on man... I feel exactly the same way. These guys should be driving a rocking chair!" - from Richard Harmon

"Everyone should be upset about this. BUT you don't have 22,000 hrs. and 43 yrs. of nothing but flying! S--- Happens. I love flying. You are not walking in my shoes. You don't know what kind of flying I did nor the hours that I put in back in the days that we could do that and it was not against the regulation! AND sitting at the desk IS NOT THE SAME!" - from Dave Albright

"I'm a reporter with the Arizona Republic and would like to hear a pilot's reaction to what happened. If you know anyone else that flies privately or commercially, I'd love to talk with other people as well." - from Claudia Koerner at Claudia.Koerner@arizonarepublic.com