Wow, sounds like a pretty sad deal. One last question, does having long hair disqualify one from getting a pilot job? Even if it's nicely tied in a pony tail?

 

I think it's got to be either short or long, I'm not sure if I've seen pony tails. Some airlines require hats and some actually enforce it.

 

If you are a guy, yes... as it should. Whether you like it or not, you are representing your airline and in most cases at the regional level, the airline you are contracted to fly routes for. Appearance is a big part of the public's perception of your professionalism. Cut the hair. If you are a chick, forget what I said, long hair is acceptable.

 

Start growing dreads.

 

Life as a pilot is great. Beautiful flight attendants, money, fame, and children actually ask for your autograph as you walk through the terminal. Wait, that was a movie.

 

Your lifestyle is going to depend on who you talk to. During my first year, the "newness" hadn't worn off yet, so, it was pretty cool to think of going to work. That'll fade away at some point, and you're just stuck with the fact that you have to go to work. The call out's will depend on the company. We had what was called guaranteed pay (think of it as salary) which says you'll get 70 hours of pay, per month, whether you fly or not. If you're on reserve, and not busy, you might not break that 70 hour mark, someone else mentioned perdiem (pay for the time that you're actually at work, and away from base) which can make your first year FO pay check look "livable" (bust just barely) if you're never working, you won't get the per diem, so, you won't make any cash.

We didn't get paid any hours for being on call, at home, and not working. So, it's nice to run around town and do what you need to do, but there won't be any bigger pay check as a result of it.You might find it difficult to make plans with family or friends, because you won't know when you're working. Especially when you first start, because you'll be so new to things, you won't have a good feel of "i think they'll call me today" vs, "they probably won't" Even those feelings can be erroneous, and can trick a seasoned veteran. All in all , expect long work days (up to 16 hours) small flight pay(probably less than 8 hours a day, even for a 16 hour day) and the inability to setup a date on the weekends, or a ballgame, or a birthday party....For the price of $20,000 a Year, they get to own your tail....

 

I am just a few days under a year in the profession. I have spent more time in training than I have actually flying for the company so far. I am on reserve (on-call). We bid for our schedules by seniority. I bid and receive a overnight reserve schedule. Most reserve schedules are unpaid 14 hour shifts. I live at the base that I fly out of so it's not bad at all; I get 75 hours minimum pay (our salary) and get called only once or twice a month to take an overnight flight. One thing I don't see mentioned previously is that we as pilots are FAA limited to a maximum of 100 hours of flight time in a month, so 75 hours of guaranteed pay is not much less pay than if i was bustin my hump for the company every day. It’s also very difficult to find a second job which will allow you leave at the drop of a hat if you get called to fly. I haven't managed to find one yet... Any ideas? The bad news is that you’re still required to be ready to fly, if called, within 90 minutes. Therefore, live at your base unless you only want to be home 2-3 days a week. Commuting blows from what I've been told by pilots that don't live at their base. They sit in a 1-2 bedroom apartment with up to 8 other pilots (crash pad) waiting to be called for 4-5 days at a time and they have to chip in about $200.00 a month to do so.

 

I'm on 3rd year pay and I moved back in with my parents. Its awesome.

 

catch me if you can... i saw it on TNT the other night for the first time, what an awesome flick.

 

haha, the guy in the video doing the walk around was wearing a backpack. funny. i live in income restricted apartments. i always get funny looks from other tenants when im in uniform.