Pilots on Red Eye to Denver-Baltimore Take a Snooze

The pilot AND first officer on a red-eye from Baltimore to Denver both fell asleep.

“Frantic” calls from air traffic controllers woke them up.

They were flying at 35,000 feet, much too high, and going twice the speed they should, 608mph, just 60 miles from the airport.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain. “I woke up, why I don’t know, and heard frantic calls from ATC … I answered ATC and abided by all instructions to get down. Woke FO (first officer) up.”

“Don’t mind. We take safety very seriously and watch crew fatigue very closely.”

I guess I’ll rethink my sked the next time I consider a red-eye flight.

How about you?

At least there wasn’t much to run into at 35,000 feet.