Song132_Work Naps

Yes, we live in advanced times. Technology is changing daily, and innovations are simultaneously adding convenience and creating new problems. Not too many years ago airplanes were still a dream, but now we have un-manned aircrafts that can fly in (near) silence and drop large bombs with video cameras. Commercial airplanes are getting more complex too. Most cockpits now are "glass-paneled" (using digital computer gauges and GPS mapping instead of traditional analog instruments), and they can practically fly themselves. However, in spite of all the technological advancements it still doesn't seem appropriate for pilots to sleep during flights. If you're not familiar with this story, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recently released statements about commercial airline pilots napping during flights. They are in favor of this practice, and they say that "pilots who are more rested are more alert." Okay, so the way to achieve alertness is to sleep during lulls at work? What about the more obvious question, "Why are the pilots so tired that they can't stay awake during work?" The next question would be, "What can we do to reduce their fatigue before coming to work?" Nope. The FAA's answer: approved work-naps. I bet some surgeons work long shifts too, but I wouldn't feel comfortable seeing my surgeon napping in the next room as the anaesthesiologist put me under. Likewise, I think I'd feel more comfortable if my pilot stayed awake during a paid flight...even if it's to monitor the automated systems.

I structured this song to mirror the events of a typical flight. The song starts with some random noises (an engine igniting?), and it moves quickly with anticipation. The plane leaves the ground about 40 seconds into the songs (just after I say "rotate")...when the clean electric guitar and "Ahh" vocals enter. The artificial snoring sound leads the song into the "autopilot" section where approved naps usually occur. Then, as the pilot wakes he gives a summary of the situation to the passengers...then the music kicks back in. The energy picks up even more just after I say, "Landing gear down." (maybe I should've said "autopilot off") Near the end I give the altitude countdown. The sudden silence is symbolic of a successful touchdown (even though that's usually the loudest part of a flight).

LYRICS: "(Cockpit) Roger, engines ignited. (Tower) Flight 335 you are currently 5th in line for take-off on runway E65 south. Taxi to E65. Over. (Cockpit) Ten-four, Tower. (Tower) Flight 335 you are clear for take-off. (Cockpit) Roger, Flight 335 leaving. Thanks for your hospitality, Memphis. Throttles up. Rotate."

LYRICS: "Good morning, uhm, I mean good evening...my name is Captain Otto. We've been flying...uhm, really high for a while now, and the co-pilot says nothing unusual happened while I was sleeping...uhm, I mean concentrating. Anyway, there's weather outside, and we're currently over land and above the clouds. More details from the cockpit coming soon."

LYRICS: "We've begun our initial decent into Denver, and we should be arriving early. Crew, prepare the cabin for landing. Flaps. Landing gear down. 100. 50. 30. 10."

-Matthew