Your life as a Pilot
#2
GF
#4
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,458
It’s NOT a job, it’s a lifestyle that pretty much consumes you. You’ll miss holidays, miss family events, be away for when someone at home is ill, etc. I told one friend of both parents dying while he away away. A friend had his basement flooded while on the other side of the world. As ranchers say, “don’t buy a ranch to big that your wife can’t manage if you’re away. Same in aviation.
GF
GF
There are many different career pathways in aviation.
#6
GF
#7
GF
#8
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2018
Posts: 33
Im home 6 nights a week. I make my own schedule, for the most part, meaning I still have time to skateboard 4 times a week, go to the gym 6 times a week, and play music 3 times a week. Im paid well above my standard of living and I live in Socal. I fly 800 hours a year. Life is good.
There's a pilot job for every type of personality/lifestyle, its just a matter of research and luck.
There's a pilot job for every type of personality/lifestyle, its just a matter of research and luck.
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 120
It has its ups and downs.....
One day you are up and flying high....
Then suddenly one little artery blockage requiring a stent and you are down....
(hopefully I will have my medical back by the end of this summer, then I will be back up)
One day you are up and flying high....
Then suddenly one little artery blockage requiring a stent and you are down....
(hopefully I will have my medical back by the end of this summer, then I will be back up)
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Yes, there is the point.... its not a job it's a lifestyle.
Ok, it makes difference, small airfield pilot (like CFI or other) or airliner.... I find airliner job slavish, as I hear from budget airliner friends.... I am not sure anymore if I dream about it or not...really. Not as free as it seems...
With small, friendly airports even if you fly only 2hrs that day, it will take your whole day its not possible to go to an airport, fly the 2 hours and go home.....
and husband / wife, if an outsider, will calling and texting like crazy...- why are you still on the airport? - what can you do there all day? ...and when they are out with you on a sunday, they start to whining and getting bored.... :P
I think in this lifestyle is the most important thing is to have a partner who is into flying on ANY way (glider, ATC, or even just a hobby spotter)... because the main problems come not from flying an airplane but from your background.
OR if the partner is policeman, military, whatever, not an accountant in 8 hours, there is a chance than he/she will understand.
Ok, it makes difference, small airfield pilot (like CFI or other) or airliner.... I find airliner job slavish, as I hear from budget airliner friends.... I am not sure anymore if I dream about it or not...really. Not as free as it seems...
With small, friendly airports even if you fly only 2hrs that day, it will take your whole day its not possible to go to an airport, fly the 2 hours and go home.....
and husband / wife, if an outsider, will calling and texting like crazy...- why are you still on the airport? - what can you do there all day? ...and when they are out with you on a sunday, they start to whining and getting bored.... :P
I think in this lifestyle is the most important thing is to have a partner who is into flying on ANY way (glider, ATC, or even just a hobby spotter)... because the main problems come not from flying an airplane but from your background.
OR if the partner is policeman, military, whatever, not an accountant in 8 hours, there is a chance than he/she will understand.
It’s NOT a job, it’s a lifestyle that pretty much consumes you. You’ll miss holidays, miss family events, be away for when someone at home is ill, etc. I told one friend of both parents dying while he away away. A friend had his basement flooded while on the other side of the world. As ranchers say, “don’t buy a ranch to big that your wife can’t manage if you’re away. Same in aviation.
GF
GF
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