Why is commuting a risk factor for pilots?

• A. It reduces fatigue by providing more time at home
• B. It has no effect on fatigue
• C. It reduces rest and increases fatigue before duty
• D. It improves training opportunities

Answer: (C)

Commuting to the flight base can create fatigue risk because it cuts into the sleep a pilot can obtain before reporting for duty. Travel time, early wake-ups, and potential delays can reduce total rest and build up sleep debt, and if the commute involves time-zone changes or irregular schedules, it can disrupt circadian rhythms. When pre-duty sleep is insufficient, alertness, reaction times, and judgment during flight suffer, increasing the chance of errors or slower performance. The idea that commuting would reduce fatigue, have no effect, or improve training opportunities doesn’t reflect how pre-duty rest and circadian disruption contribute to fatigue risk. So the primary issue is the reduction of rest and the resulting higher fatigue before duty.