Stop taking redeyes.

Seriously.

Why do you do that to yourself? I know that you're saving, what, 5 hours...but in exchange you have a sub-par night's sleep (best case), and a chance at a really disturbed night (worse) or no sleep (worst).

Add to that: unless you're flying PS C/F or CO from HNL-EWR, there is no domestic service (including AA's old-skool transcon) where the seats are actually comfortable enough to sleep in.

I'm sure you'd like to intone about the need to spend the extra time with your family, or to get some last-minute work done before you dash off for that meeting. And, gosh, isn't it just so *efficient* that we can forgo a night's sleep to do business in the am with the East Coast? Aren't we lucky?

I'd posit that the redeye is a trap. A faustian bargain, if you will, with the most important thing for your health (and business acumen) - sleep. Sleep is not fungible, sleep is not optional, sleep is not negotiable. While I don't have access to research on the subject, I bet domestic redeyes are not good for net efficacy of business people.

I'd strongly suggest building in the extra 6 hours into your (undoubtedly) busy schedule and just flying during the day. Your body and mind will thank you for it. And, amazingly, your company will pay for it, too.

-G