#43: Pilots May Be More Relaxed Than You Think
Even people who aren’t afraid of flying often feel slightly uneasy once the cabin doors close. There’s something strange about being thousands of feet in the air inside a metal tube with a bunch of strangers. That’s why this next fact might raise your blood pressure a little.
Pilots reportedly fall asleep mid-flight more often than passengers realize — sometimes both pilots at once. Modern aircraft rely heavily on autopilot systems, and long, uneventful stretches in the cockpit can make staying alert difficult. While it sounds terrifying, the aviation industry has strict safety measures, multiple redundancies, and frequent rest requirements. Still, maybe don’t think too hard about this on your next flight.
