get a Dracula

[chrysanthemum]

If I stay with friends, I spend time with them.
Sounds nice.
It's not so nice if I get a Dracula.
A Dracula?
That's when you fly to Pittsburgh at midnight, spend four hours in the airport, and then fly back to New York.
What is the meaning of if I get a Dracula?

 

[JohnParis]

Dracula was the first vampire (Dracula - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) but I do not see how this fact can help in answering your question.
To me, the conversation (context) you provided sounds like some sort of conversation between two airline employees serving, possibly, as cabin attendants. In that case "getting a Dracula" might refer to the hours they have been assigned to work. But, I am not at all certain about that. Maybe you could provide more context? What was the whole conversation - do you know?

 

[SoothingDave]

Definitely sounds like some sort of insider jargon and not a common expression. Probably has to do with working a shift when it's dark outside.

 

[5jj]

Definitely sounds like some sort of insider jargon and not a common expression. Probably has to do with working a shift when it's dark outside.

I agree. Vampires can operate only in the hours of darkness. Sunlight is death to them.

 

[SoothingDave]

And yet the moon reflects sunlight to no apparent harm.

 

[5jj]

And yet the moon reflects sunlight to no apparent harm.

For scientists. To normal people and vampires, that's moonlight.

 

[BobK]

Perhaps it's a reference to the red eyes often ascribed to vampires. An overnight plane trip is also referred to as 'the red-eye': 'They need the artwork in the New York office first thing in the morning. So as soon as I've finished I'm catching the red-eye.'

b