B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Fatigue
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Company Policy; Human Factors
Once again I was assigned to fly a double duty period in a 24 hour period. I slept for 9 hours prior to my coast to coast flight that departed before mid-morning. After flying approximately 4 hrs to our destination; we are now released and sent to the hotel to try and get rest for our red eye flight. As always; I was unable to rest after I arrived to the hotel; because I was rested from the night before. I laid down several times to try and rest but was unsuccessful. Late afternoon; I self medicated myself to try and sleep for at least a few hours. The alarm went off at a couple of hours before midnight local time. I slept for about 3 hours prior to show time.During the flight I felt extremely fatigued as did the First Officer. I found myself nodding off many times during the flight. I was definitely feeling the effects of fatigue. I feel really guilty calling in fatigue as the company does not have the staffing to cover this flight and the passengers will be affected negatively. This practice has to stop before an accident occurs.
A B737 Captain reported extreme fatigue during the second duty period in twenty-four hours beginning with an AM transcontinental flight; attempting mid PM rest and finally flying an all night period.