Are their any UK airline pilots out there who can tell me a bit about their jobs, such as:
Not in an airline but live in the UK so I'll have a go.
What kind of flying you do,i.e. shorthaul/ longhaul and what is your typical weekly/ monthly routine?
Do mainly short and medium haul. From a sector of 8 min to 4 hours usually.
I don't have a typical week as I fly exec jets for a "corporate airline". So, one week could be a heap of earlies out of Moscow and heading all points south. Other weeks are shuttling around Europe. There is no pattern. Some seasonal trends though.
How often do you have to work at weekends?
Often. It's roster dependant.
How much time do you have to spend away from your families, say over a month period? Can this cause problems?
My family lives in Australia so I don't see them for about 18 months to 2 years usually. I am usually away from my hubby about 14 nights in a standard month. I blocks of 6 days on 4-5 off. Problems? No, he's a pilot with easyJet so he knows the business. He's home every day so even when I am home and he's working we see each other. That is important, they have to know and understand the business.
How much spare time do you have in comparison say with someone who works a regular 9-5, Mon-Fri job?
It's been so long since I have done a standard 9-5 job I can't remember. The big difference is predictability. Someone who works 9-5 knows when they have to be at work, when they will finish and what they're doing on the weekends. We don't. WIth sufficient lead time you can get a weekend off but it's never guaranteed.
Is it a sociable job, do pilots socialise/ go out drinking much with each other?
Yes, my job is very social. Often your crewmember is the only person you know in the hotel so you may as well have a drink with them. Of course if you're on min rest then it's just as likely you'll go to your room and sleep. I have some friends from a former company that I go and have a meal/drinks with but that is in my own time. The days of getting rat arsed on a night stop are over.