Paul76086

What is the best and worse thing about being a major airline pilot?

Also, what is the typical monthly schedule for a major airline pilot? How many days on? How many days off? How many days away from home? Etc…

Thanks for your responses.

maximus

Best thing: I have a closet full of various "costumes" that would bring Elvis back from the dead. (If only E-Bay would allow me to sell them.) Seriously, it would have to be doing something that is fun and challenging.

Worst thing: Not knowing which neighbor my next kid was going to look like. Seriously, it would have to be the "missed experiences" of being away from home so much.

Typical monthly schedule: While there are big swings between "good" and "bad" months, I'd have to say that after nearly 20 years, it's averaged half-on, and half-off (15 and 15). How it's divided up depends on many factors. (i.e., airline, equipment, base, routes, reserve versus lineholder, etc.,).

Best of luck.

Paul76086

Thanks Maximus. In your opinion is it worth the sacrifice of the "missed experiences?"

Are there airline jobs out there that don't require 15 days away for home per month?

maximus

You're welcome. I'd have to say "yes", it has been worth the sacrifices. Like so many others, I think I could write a pretty cool book about my career. Not all positive, but certainly not boring. My kids would probably tell you they could have cared less about the missed events that caused me such heartache. But they would also say privately that they are very proud of my life, much more than had I chosen to be a desk jockey.

As far as the number of days away from home, the spectrum is as wide as the quality of jobs available. Unfortunately the profession has taken quite an ass-kicking in the past five years and the trend for more time at home does not appear to be positive. Just one man's opinion- other's mileage may vary.

captjns

Best thing about commercial flying... Cargo... no passengers or flight attendants. On layovers... clean linens and towels and other airlines' flight attendants.

Worst thing about commercial flying... passengsers and flight attendants.

SkyHigh

Paul,

It is easy to get a Rosy picture from 747 Captains at the top of their craft. It is easy to forget that they spent decades to get there. Ask George Clooney what he thinks of being an actor and I am sure you would get a different answer than some one who's best hope is a laundry detergent commercial. Most airline jobs are low paying and have endless days away from home. Usually by the time you have a few days off you are so beat that all you do is sleep for the first day off then work to catch up on the honey do's. By the time you are ready for some recreation it is time to go back to work. With the industry in such turmoil and your late entry into it you would have a high probability of ending up in one of the lessor career destinations. When I was working for the airlines my children would cry when I left on a trip. It was very sad but it was even sadder when after a few years they stopped. You begin to notice that you experience most of what should have been the finer moments in your life through pictures and videos since you were not there. Something to think about.

SkyHigh

Ranger

The best thing is getting to do something that I really love to do. I haven't had a "job" for 28 years.

The worst thing has to be some of the schedules. They just kick my rotund butt. And it gets worse as I get older.

With my seniority (or lack thereof) I average 14 days or so at work per month. I don't commute any more so the rest of my time is at home. And I can usually chop a day or two off of my schedule with some creative jumpseating and paxing.

Don't listen to SkyHigh. Some people are naturally "glass half empty" kinda people. He's a "the damned glass is empty and broken on the floor in about a million pieces" kinda guy. I still think he's a management swine.

SkyHigh

Ranger

You are going to give me a big head with all that management talk . I wish !!! If I were management then at least would have a chance. I am a glass is broken kind of guy when it comes to 30 YO expecting fathers and wish to change careers. It is listening to guys like you that launch a thousand hopeless careers a year. Perhaps you work for AOPA or Flying Magazine? Guys like you are always spouting advice about things you know nothing about. By your own admission it has been 28 years since you have looked for a job. How would you know what it was like for someone just starting out?

One of your biggest fans !!!

SkyHigh

RedeyeAV8r

And you Sky High are a youngster at 30 years old..............please.

Wow you maybe have been in the airline industry a whole 7-8 years tops.
My you are one salty aviator.

By your own admisson, you have Never flown or worked for a major airline.
What you worked for a small cargo /pax out fit in Alaska or maybe for a commuter or Regional carrier? You spend your life on this board spouting advice about what it is like in the industry..................

Tell us oh geat one..........there are people on this board with 30 plus years airline experience................................

So who is one spouting advice about things he knows nothing about??

The answer is............................... You!!

Go sip from that bottle of wine I suggested earlier.

aspiring_pilot

i just talked to a 15 year american 737 f/o. yes, 15 years in the right seat. hes 60 #s from upgrade.

said he does mostly out and backs to la guardia and orange county. spends most of his nights at home. not a bad schedule.

he was also thrilled about the stock options the execs are getting and also told me how thrilled he was about losing 600 spots on list to TWA pilots as well as his 45% pay cut. (he got knocked off 777 to 737 post 9/11)

So theres a good schedule for you. an out and back to a coast out of dfdub.