Flying as a Career: What to Expect and What Your Choices Are
Posted by Jeffrey on 19th May 2009
So you want to be a pilot?
Well flying is an exciting career choice, full of possibilities in terms of training and growth. It’s also a challenging job that demands discipline and excellence. Unfortunately, flying has never been a stable job because the aviation industry is continuously in a state of flux which often results in almost the daily closure of airlines, furloughs, and a reduction in flight departments. But, if your heart is set on having a full-time airline or flying career, here are some of the most important things you will have to consider:
The Pilot Lifestyle
A flying career isn’t just about doing it as a job. It is also about being able to adapt to a certain lifestyle. A professional pilot, such as those who work for the airlines (e.g., Southwest, United, etc.), fractionals (e.g., NetJets) or freight companies (e.g., Atlas), often spend a lot of time away from their homes and families. You could be gone for two days and up to 12 days (or more) depending on the company you work for and your schedule. In some cases, you may leave the United States and not return for two weeks. The upside of this is that when you are home, you are home. Some pilots really enjoy the fact that they work for two weeks, then have two weeks off. Personally, I enjoy four-day trips then four days off.
Tags: Airline Career, Aviation, Flying, Flying Career, Professional Flying
Posted in Airplanes, Aviation, Captain Insights, Flight Training, Flying the Line | 4 Comments »