Just a curious question about schedules. I see where some pilots have 3-5 days off in a row or even 2 weeks. My question is, can he or she travel with their families or go on a mini vacation in that time off? Or do they have to stay where they are located or based out of?

Thanks

When you’re not scheduled, you’re off. Do as you wish.

GF

True in the US, for airlines. You don't have to live in your base, and many folks live in other cities and commute. I know more than a couple folks who have multiple residences, and they rotate. Also have known folks who go on extended road trips (years even), and just commute to/from wherever their RV happens to be parked that week.

Some non-airline operations may be on call most or all of their days "off". Those arrangements are determined when you take the job, so it should not be a surprise.

For foriegn airlines, the rules may be quite different than here, and not usually in a good way.

Ahh okay! that is very helpful to hear. Reason I asked is I love traveling, and I was thinking having the privilege of discounted or free tickets to new places would be a dream come true haha. I didn't know if you had to stay around or wait on call!

If the main reason you want to be a pilot is your love of traveling and not a love of the job (i.e., flying), I’d reconsider this as a career if I were you. There are plenty of other ways to travel frequently.

Flying is traveling. They are the same thing.

Not necessarily true. If you think 16 hours in a hotel after a 12-hour overnight flight is travel, here’s news—its a job. Travel is actually seeing something—hotel rooms and concrete ramps all look the same.


GF

Not necessarily. This job is one of the few which offers tremendous schedule flexibility to travel (in addition to nonrev bennies). Not an unreasonable motive, IMO better motive than money. Of course it's best if you like flying airplanes too.

The time off is really what enables travel. Work travel, not so much... you'll probably do a lot more ten-hour overnights in the Podunk Falls airport frontage road la quinta than 30-hour Paris layovers.

I don't see how you can get that out of anything I said? I love traveling, period. I did not say I want to be a pilot only to travel. I don't have to explain why I want to become a pilot to you either, but I can tell you the sole reason isn't to "travel"...

I love the sky, and flying is the funnest thing you can do with your clothes on, haha! I just wanted to learn about the days off, as that opens up time to go see new stuff! I figured when you're on duty its like work, just get your run or workout in at the hotel and start the next day!