Airline Pilot: How Stressful This Job Could Be

[SilveR5]

Hi there


Stress level in this job could get very high.

The questions here are to explore the views of experienced pilots about this tense part of their lives. How would you define stress in this kind of job? What are the sources of stress there? And finally, how do you deal with it?

I've heard about many pilots who have really loved their job, but after flying for 15+ years they've decided to stay on the ground with a non-flying position just because they've had enough of stress!!:rolleyes:

It would be great to share your opinions with the young wannabes!



Cheers

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Good question.

I've been an airline pilot for 6 years so not really a long termer (yet), and don't get me wrong, love my job. However, already been made redundant once due to airline collapse, and recently had to relocate abroad with the current mob (no choice as there are no other jobs in the UK at the moment), and that really does put a strain on things, and I think these types of situations are the ones that wannabees don't think about.

Yes it's a good job, but that's it guys, it's a job (and yes, I do love flying etc etc) and I think that's what some guys forget whilst "chasing the dream". Alot of guys say they would go anywhere and fly for free (grrrrr...) etc. Which is all well and good when you're a wannabee, but after a while folks, it really can take it's toll on your situation, believe me.

I don't think the stress is necessarily from the day job on the flight deck, more the hassle around it, and I can see why some guys after a few years give it up. And until you are at the coalface I dont think you can ever know fully how it can bugger around with your life.

I'm sure some guys reading this will think oh well, if you don't want to do it I will....but it probably really really isn't what the image is, even to fellas that have researched it as best they can.

If you treat it as a nice job, ok fair enough. If it's this "dream" lark, please think about it harder.

[Crazyworld]

such questions alway there in my mind since it was started from ,well as you said "chasing dream" until now, not long, just couple years, I really treat myself like a job seeker. Once you know more about this job, you would know thats not kind of "dreamy" thing.

[Whirlygig]

However, already been made redundant once due to airline collapse, and recently had to relocate abroadThat, sadly, can be the case with many professional careers.

Stress is when the mind overrides the body's desire to strangle the living sh1t out of some a$$hole who desperately needs it.

Cheers

Whirls

[JohnRayner]

Stress is when the mind overrides the body's desire to strangle the living sh1t out of some a$$hole who desperately needs it.

Hear hear!

JR

[Frank Furillo]

Well I get stressed when I am on a early and the breakfast is the cold one, not the nice Omlette with cheese, but some bread and pastries!!!!!:ok:

[Dr Eckener]

The stress is not caused by the day to day parts of the job. It comes from worrying about redundancy (been there), moving a long way away (been there), unstable rosters and the impact on your family (still there), and all the general BS that surrounds the job. A bit like any job really.

[poina]

I consider myself lucky to have taken early retirement at 56 after 30+ years making a living at the greatest career on the planet. The early years are cake, new places, experiences. Still eager to read and excel for pc, recurrent, line checks, etc. Not much stress at this point.
Now get married, have kids, priorities change, throw in some delays, miss your connection to get home, now here comes the stress.
I read absolutely nothing about my last a/c (MD-11) for the last 5 years and was certainly telling on my performance.
My advice-workout on layovers are mandatory, read your qrh or whatever your Xlist is called inflight, any studying do on long haul flights. Don't open any books at your house, SAVE YOUR MONEY, pay yourself before any bills, when your interest wanes and bullsh@t gains, bag it!

[Mister Geezer]

I would not say that the job is stressful in itself. It is the effect that flying has on your life outside the cockpit that can generate the stress.

I am coming up for six years airline flying now. I am onto my third airline, had umpteen base changes, worked in two continents and had a redundancy thrown in for good measure too. It would have been a real struggle if I had a wife and kids to worry about as well. Thankfully I don't have that to worry about and it has enabled me to move to where opportunities have existed i.e commands etc. So for me personally, fatigue is more of an issue than stress. However I would say that the reverse is the case for those with families.

[betpump5]

Again i'll agree with my fellow colleagues. I have never found the FD stressful. Sue there are times of high work load, challenging airspace and weather but stressful is not a word i would choose.

The stress comes from wondering whether you will wake up the next morning without a job. Or debating whether you should buy a house whilst wondering whether you won't have to move to a different base before your house price has managed to repay back all the fees that go along with. You stress about family, relationships and friends.

But the moment you step onto the flightdeck, you are so focused on the job in hand that it is the only place in the world (other than the toilet) where I feel stress free.