For people who are afraid of flying, having to board an aircraft for a flight can be a startling ordeal. When faced with the actual logistics of flight, the potential for disaster increases in our minds. But as the famous saying suggests, "You are more likely to die in a car accident than in a plane crash." There are, of course, individuals who don't even think twice about boarding an aircraft. These are the regular fliers and travellers who are comfortable with the experience. Unfortunately, sometimes regular fliers, like pilots, take this comfort to dangerous new heights.

Earlier this week in Hawaii two airline pilots who fell asleep in the cockpit returned to work after a 60-day suspension. Captain Scott Oltman and First Officer Dillon Shepley were commanding a flight from Honolulu to Hilo when they both "unintentionally" fell asleep inside the cockpit. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes. The pilots did not respond to the air traffic controller until about 20 minutes after they should've landed. They had to take the aircraft into a loop and approach the runway again for a second attempt at landing the 40 passengers onboard. It is true that modern jets have many computers and tools to aid pilots in flying, but falling asleep at the wheel, so to speak, is not acceptable. Pilots are responsible for many lives in addition to their own and must be extra vigilant in carrying out their task.

Go! Airlines, Oltman and Shepley's employer, has made it a matter of policy to always allow pilots sufficient rest time in between flights. This leaves little excuse for the blunder. Oltman was later diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing in their sleep and interrupts regular sleep patterns. While we might sympathize with Oltman, his predicament can't help but raise a question: should a person in that condition be flying an aircraft?

Perhaps it is too harsh to suggest that as punishment these men should never fly an aircraft again. We all make mistakes after all. But to return to work at full pay after a brief suspension seems far too lenient. The penalty in this case should at least serve to strongly discourage pilots of acting irresponsibly, which could include a pay reduction after a lengthy suspension or even dismissal by the employer. Pilots have tremendous responsibility for the safety of an aircraft. Even though the statistics show the relative safety of air travel, it could be completely nullified by irresponsible pilots.