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champ20039 02-16-2017 08:47 AM

Do I have a career path in aviation
 
Hi,
I am currently thinking of getting my commercial pilot license, but before doing so I need to figure out if there is a career path for me in aviation. I am unable to work Friday nights and Saturdays and have t find that this is a major road block in finding a career in aviation. I am writing to everyone in the forum to ask based on your experience or with pilots you know, if there exists any companies, whether cargo, region, national, corporate that have a somewhat flexible schedule that would allow me to not work Friday nights and Saturdays. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
-Adam

JohnBurke 02-16-2017 10:38 AM

Depends on the job, but aviation is an any-time, any place kind of job. You'll likely move several times for work, take several pay cuts, live on the poverty line, learn to love Top Ramen, and you stand a high statistical probability of divorce. Also, your dog may cease to love you.

This limitation, Friday and Saturday, it's a long term one that wont go away? It may be several years before it matters, on the time-line of your career. Any limitations that you place on your availability or willingness to work, however, will limit your usefulness to an employer.

One just doesnt see too many ads calling for "Wanted: one pilot available Sunday through Thursday on a long term basis."

There may be one, solitary chance for redemption, but it's a long shot and requires a great deal of commitment on your part. Do you, by chance, like goats?

rickair7777 02-16-2017 11:04 AM

I believe there are a few small cargo operations which may only fly M-F. Typically I think it would be night shifts, starting late Sunday with shifts available each night finishing Fri morning.

This limitation, if it's absolute, will severely limit your compensation and QOL in aviation. I'm guessing it's religious? If you have any flexibility, you could get an airline job, deal with it initially, and once senior enough you should be able bid off the days you want.

Airlines will not accommodate religious schedule needs, or any personal schedule needs, unless you have a death in the family. Otherwise all pilots would convert to whatever religion had weekends and holidays off. We'd probably make up our own religion, the superbowl would be the main holiday but there would be weekly services Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, and also Mon night.

I joke, but at one point when I had enough airline seniority (different airplane) I only worked M-W or Tu-Th.


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