Having a unusal, temporary 3h commute - each way, 2 of which are on Amtrak. It got me thinking. If you had a train commute 5 hours each way, all on the same train and rather comfortable, could a person conceivable get all the sleep he needs to and from work and be up the work hours and the home hours and is this something that can be substained without the person ‘crashing’?
Also any condolances for my 6 hour commute today and tomorrow are appreciated.
5 hrs each way? 8 hours’ sleep (allowing for settling down time) broken into 2 x 4 hour segments… I don’t see why a person couldn’t adapt to that.
It sounds possible, especially if you’re the kind of person who can sleep anywhere. Would certainly make your hours at home more productive and/or enjoyable!
Difficult, unless you get a sleeper car. Sleeping sitting up, even in a comfy chair, tends to be more frequently interrupted, with less of the deep stage sleep one needs to get truly rested.
Could some manage it comfortable? Probably. But I bet most couldn’t.
Consistently sleeping through your stop on the way to work would also negatively impact your performance review.
Speaking from personal experience, of course.
I believe that on sailing ships in the British Navy, the crew were on alternating four hour watches (watch on watch) at least until the early 1800s. (http://www.sailnet.com/collections/Racing/index.cfm?articleID=rousma0037). It was do-able, but the crews were chronically sleep-deprived.
Siesta!
This is what I was thinking and found this out today. Even though I was able to lie across 2 seats, couldn’t got into any real sleep on my 4 hr (2 each way) amtrack trip. With some practice I could get some sleep, but most likely not the deep sleep needed. I think your right in needing a sleeper car.
Well.
My Mom recently moved to PA, roughly a 3 hour drive to NY. She has, however, kept her job in Queens and drives there every day. In addition to this, she has gone completely insane and taken a SECOND job in the same area, which she goes to every day after her first job. So what we’re looking at here is :
6 hour commute
7 hours at job 1
4 hours at job 2
And she survives just fine. Her secret? take note, kanicbird. No social life whatsoever, and being COMPLETELY STARK RAVING MAD.
Actually karomon I can understand why she got the 2nd job - so she doesn’t have to drive through rush hour traffic. Driving all that time would be way too much for me on a regular basis. I chose taking Amtrak because I would be able to possibly get some sleep though it is expensive. I could have drove but it would have taken just as long and it would leave me no time for anything else.
Also I could have drive about 1/2 way and taken a commuter railroad, it would save me a few $'s (actually many) but any chance of sleep would be gone due to all the transfering and shorter/ less comfortable train rides.
My goal initially was to get 2 hrs of sleep during the 4h trip, now I am setteling for one as every bit helps.
Depending on how nice the train ride is (the subways in Toronto won’t do) I could probably manage it. I used to (while in school) do a 4 hour split sleep schedule. The biggest issue would be how busy the train is. I’d hate to be robbed while sleeping.
I don’t have much of a commute these days. 40 Kms one way can be had, with agressive driving, in under 30 minutes in traffic. If I were to take public transit I’d have to join karomon’s mom in the looney house. A 3 hour bus ride would totally suck.