Who’s Flying The Plane? Aircraft Left On Auto-Pilot As Pilots Nap Together

Even though we’re all aware that auto-pilot is flying our aircraft the vast majority of our trip, it’s always reassuring to know that there’s a pilot sitting behind the controls, ready to spring into action in case something goes wrong. Even better, there are usually two pilots up in the cockpit prepared to take charge. So news that a packed airplane heading to the UK was left on auto-pilot as both pilots fell asleep is a little unsettling.

The British Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that the pilot and co-pilot flying an Airbus A330 on an unnamed airline had decided to take turns napping. However, at some point during the flight, one pilot woke from his nap to discover the other pilot was fast asleep. The pilots voluntarily reported the incident which happened in mid-August this year. It’s believed the pair had only gotten about five hours of sleep over the two nights prior to the flight.The incident has sparked debate over pilot fatigue and mandatory rest periods between flights. Proposed changes in Europe would actually mean pilots could go even longer before getting a break, and includes rules like allowing pilots to land a plane after having been awake for 22 hours. The UK pilot’s association, Balpa, is fighting the changes.

SkyMall Monday: Top 5 places to sleep with the Pillow Tie

Life is full of boring events. Our parents, spouses and religious leaders constantly drag us to occasions that are beyond dull. With hundreds of cable channels, air conditioning and beer easily accessible in our own homes, why do we need to go anywhere? Heck, we can have all of that in our beds if we have a remote control cooler around! If it was up to me, I’d never leave SkyMall Monday headquarters. It’s cozy, full of entertainment options and blissfully devoid of a dress code. Sadly, however, I get invited to an infuriating amount of social functions, many of which require me to put on pants. Thankfully, there’s now an accessory that allows me to look formal while also drowning out the boring speeches that are happening around me. I can attend various engagements while still being a lethargic lump. Sound too good to be true? Well, you can do it too thanks to SkyMall. Today we take a look at the top five places to sleep with the Pillow Tie.Where can you take advantage of this marvel of engineering and fashion? Theoretically, anywhere you’d like. However, you’ll appreciate it more at some of life’s most tedious affairs. Before we breakdown where you can use it, let’s check out the product description:

Boring meetings, hour-long conference calls–might as well make yourself comfy. Looks and ties like traditional neckwear but inflates with a few puffs, then it’s sweet dreams for the wearer.

Why limit ourselves? Let’s take a look at the top 5 places to sleep with the Pillow Tie:

5. The Office

Just like the product description discussed, work is dull. Who cares about Q1 reports and sexual harassment policies? Use those meetings as a chance to recharge your batteries.

4. Wedding Ceremonies

The emphasis here is on the ceremonies. You don’t like seeing your friends’ public displays of affection or listening to them baby talk with their significant others, so why do you suddenly want to hear them gush about each other and then kiss in front of you? Rest up during the ceremony and you’ll have the energy you need to dominate the cocktail hour. Remember, like an infielder charging a ground ball, you get to the passed hor d’oeuvres faster if you go to them.

3. Conferences

Fine, your company sent you to Las Vegas for your industry’s biggest meeting of the year. Does that mean that you have to care? It’s a free trip to Vegas! Love the nightlife, and then sleep off all that boogying while some keynote speaker drones on about who knows what.

2. Public Transportation

It’s in your best interest to skip most of those sights and smells.

1. Bars

You worked hard all day and now just want to avoid going home to your needy family for a few extra hours. It beats going to a fast food restaurant and embarrassingly falling asleep next to your melon soda.

Where would you sleep with the Pillow Tie? Let us know in the comments.

Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.

SkyMall Monday: Relax ‘n Nap Pillow

I tend to love almost all SkyMall products. My reviews are favorable because the SkyMall Monday headquarters is full of useful products that have solved problems that we never knew we had until SkyMall told us about them. However, there was always one product in the catalog that I avoided reviewing. Whenever I would flip through the pages or scroll through the website, I would avoid it at all costs because it simply looked too horrible for me to imagine ever using it. However, the time has come for me to address this product. This week’s edition of SkyMall Monday is going to be a bit different than usual. Instead of a glowing review, you may see some harsh words. We’re all adults here and I think you’ll agree that what I’m about to share with you needs to be said (or written). Get comfortable. Lay down if you’d like. But do not attempt to read this while using the Relax ‘n Nap Pillow.The Relax ‘n Nap Pillow is intended for people who want to sleep laying face down. You know who sleeps like that? Dead people. Or, I suppose, people getting massages. I’ve gotten massages. I love massages. You know what bothers me about massages? How weird it is laying face down with my head through a hole. I know that I should close my eyes and relax, but I can’t help but open my yes from time to time only to see either the floor or the masseuse’s feet. It’s boring and weird. Now imagine laying face down, opening your eyes and just seeing your sheets. Unless you have some epic bedsheets, that’s going to be weird and boring.

I also find that the face down sleeping position promoted by the Relax ‘n Nap Pillow poses a major security risk. Laying face down with no peripheral vision leaves the user vulnerable to sneak attacks by home invaders, the boogieman and older brothers who think that wedgies are funny. If you normally sleep on your stomach (which I do), you keep your head cocked to one side, allowing you to either sleep with one eye open or quickly see what’s happening should a noise startle you awake. Every second counts when poltergeists or sadistic siblings try to make their move.

To be fair, I’ll give the product description the chance to make its case:

Our Relax ‘N Nap Pillows allow you to rest face down in blissful comfort! The memory foam provides proper spinal support plus patented air portal ventilation.

Blissful comfort? Sure, if you’ve already gotten your affairs in order and welcome death’s sweet embrace. As for the spinal support and air portal ventilation, well, invest in a decent mattress and open a window.

I’ll continue to sleep on normal pillows with my eyes pointed at the door, thank you very much. Sleeping face down just ain’t right.

I’m sorry that you had to experience such a negative review of a SkyMall product. I know that this must have shocked and frightened you. I can only hope that next week brings us back to the usually joy and whimsy of our favorite airborne marketplace. Until then, watch out for wedgies.

Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.

Photo of the day (11.18.10)


Some of us can easily sleep on planes, despite little leg room, screaming babies, and recirculated air, while others have to resort to sleeping pills, tiny airplane bottles of booze, and noise-canceling headphones to get any rest. But most of us can sleep on trains easily; something about the gentle rocking of the train, scenery whizzing by, and long bench seats makes for a comfy sleep experience. Flickr user snowjumpr (who has more interesting and enviable Italy pix on his photostream) caught this snoozer on a morning commuter train in Italy. Are you ready for a nap yet?

Take any good napping pictures on your travels? Share it with us on our Flickr group and it could be our next Photo of the Day.

Review: The Snazzy Napper

By now, there’s a fairly good chance that you’ve seen the commercial for the Snazzy Napper eye mask and blanket. Maybe you watched CNN mock it or read how some other travel site panned it with vitriol normally reserved for despots and baby-killers (deep breaths, guys). What you probably haven’t come across, though, is an honest-to-goodness review from someone who has, oh, I don’t know, tried the product. Thankfully, we decided to remedy that.

I got my hands on the Snazzy Napper to see if it’s really worth your money. Should you pack the Snazzy Napper on your next long flight? Will it actually help you sleep? Is it really so ridiculous? Watch the video to find out.