Which factor is the primary reason commuting is a risk factor?

• A. It reduces rest and increases fatigue before duty
• B. It improves alertness
• C. It ensures timely arrival
• D. It has no impact

Answer: (A)

Fatigue before duty is the main risk driver when crew members commute. The time spent getting to the workplace often cuts into the opportunity to sleep, especially if the commute is long, irregular, or stressful. That means sleep debt accumulates, and when duty begins, alertness, reaction time, and decision-making are already impaired. The body may also be out of sync with the planned duty due to circadian disruption from irregular sleep schedules, making the upcoming workload harder to manage.

This combination—less rest and higher fatigue at the start of duty—directly increases the likelihood of errors, slower responses, and reduced situational awareness during flight or other critical tasks. While some may think commuting could boost alertness, or that it ensures timely arrival, the reality is that it tends to degrade performance before duty and add stress or variability that compounds fatigue. Therefore, the primary reason commuting is a risk factor is the reduction of rest and the increase in fatigue before duty.