EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Fatigue; Physiological - Other; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Procedure; Human Factors
Starting the day early and commuting to work with a fairly long drive. I felt fine for reporting for duty and felt fine to complete the rest of the day's flights. Even though I had not slept very good the last few nights before. Due to feeling sick; because of a common cold; and having other issues on my current thoughts. Before departure I signed the flight release; and signed the fit for duty part of the release in the FMS. While on the way to our destination I had trouble staying alert and kept dosing off for very short intervals. While on the early part of the descent phase; my ability to stay alert and dosing off became somewhat more difficult. The First Officer who I was flying with; noticed my troubles; and told me he would like to take over as pilot flying. So we wouldn't have a conflict while flying; and while in a critical phase of flight. I decided to just let him take the aircraft from there. At this time; I started to think about after arriving calling in fatigued. Upon landing; after completing the last of the checklist; before I had a chance to discuss the matter with my First Officer he immediately left the aircraft and notified the company of what happened.After feeling ill; having several other issues on your mind over a period of days; and not sleeping well over that particular time period; It would be a good idea to give yourself some extra sleep. Maybe something like an extra couple of hours on top of the recommended eight hours.
I was pilot monitoring during the flight and multiple times I looked over and saw the captain sleeping. While on the arrival at 6;000 feet; I saw the captain sleeping again. I woke him and notified him that I was taking the controls for the rest of the flight. We did not violate any FAR's or deviate from ATC instructions and landed safely.
During cruise flight and while flying the RNAV arrival; a fatigued; recently ill Captain dozed off several times. The First Officer aggressively took control of the aircraft and landed. The Captain removed himself from the next flight.