And the best long haul job is?

[GE115b]

So the way I see it, things at most EU legacies are heading in the wrong direction, CX sounds toxic along with the crippling high cost of living in HK and we have all heard about the fatigue in the ME3. Flying the heavies in North America sounds rosy, but only reachable if you have the visa and 25+ years seniority.

So, is there any half decent long haul jobs out there, or maybe things aren't all that bad and I just need a pprune detox?

[Banana Joe]

I guess LH/LH Cargo, Air France and KLM are up there...

[badmannen]

So the way I see it, things at most EU legacies are heading in the wrong direction, CX sounds toxic along with the crippling high cost of living in HK and we have all heard about the fatigue in the ME3. Flying the heavies in North America sounds rosy, but only reachable if you have the visa and 25+ years seniority.

So, is there any half decent long haul jobs out there, or maybe things aren't all that bad and I just need a pprune detox?

Most people need a detoxification after to much misery and bs on PPRUNE =D
There are longhaul jobs , Cargo if it suits you that are more manageable. And no, you do not need tons of experience to join them. But some obviously helps. like always.

Most jobs and places you go to can be good or bad .. and surprise surprise .... most of the time it is not up to the place... mostly up to what personality you got =)

[Jetstream67]

Chief Pilot

[eckhard]

BA 787....

[Snapper5]

VA 787 definitely, better than the airbus fleet anyway!!

[MD80767 Driver]

GE 115b, assuming from your 'name' you are on the 777...consider Ethiopian Airlines...as crazy as that may sound :-) But, 777 in ET is a mix of Long and medium haul, that lets your body clock reset enough to stay 'alive'. Roster 20on/10off. Desent salary, and relaxed work environment. And No- I'm not a recruiter nor a mgmt pilot. Just a normal line guy

[Klimax]

So the way I see it, things at most EU legacies are heading in the wrong direction, CX sounds toxic along with the crippling high cost of living in HK and we have all heard about the fatigue in the ME3. Flying the heavies in North America sounds rosy, but only reachable if you have the visa and 25+ years seniority.

So, is there any half decent long haul jobs out there, or maybe things aren't all that bad and I just need a pprune detox?


Get onto a Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500 or even a Falcon 7X.. On the right account (with emphasism on "right") and you´ll do a long haul or two a month and stay "at location" for long enough to actually enjoy the different location in a different continent - wake up in the morning (ok, ok.... middle of the night..) and suck in the new air, take it easy, head to the beach, head to the coffee shop, go shop carpets or whatever - and best of all - not already start thinking about the next return flight.. If you really nail it, you´ll be on a rotational position and when the flight is over you go home and stay home for 2-4 weeks (depending on rotation type). As for the flying - maybe you´ll be doing the ususal suspect of New York, Paris, London, Boston, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.,but if you´re lucky it will be with the occassional odd vacation trip to Maldives, Namibia, South Africa etc.. Anyways, life is not always easy. Good luck.

[Underdog]

BA 787....

Even this fleet isn’t all roses. Several recent joiners have left for greener pastures, being unable to get a weekend off, other than leave.

...and next year the -10s arrive, with no crew rest facilities (for the CC), they’ll be hoovering up Middle East and East Coast routes - not very credit efficient - which means more days at work.

So, while it may presently be the LH fleet of choice (the effects of JSS are felt less keenly than on other fleets), this will change in the next year or so. Suits me, as more junior people will be able to come across, and I’ll get pushed further up the list - but for the junior trash, life is about to get a whole lot worse, whichever seat you’re in!

[SaulGoodman]

Get onto a Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500 or even a Falcon 7X.. On the right account (with emphasism on "right") and you´ll do a long haul or two a month and stay "at location" for long enough to actually enjoy the different location in a different continent - wake up in the morning (ok, ok.... middle of the night..) and suck in the new air, take it easy, head to the beach, head to the coffee shop, go shop carpets or whatever - and best of all - not already start thinking about the next return flight.. If you really nail it, you´ll be on a rotational position and when the flight is over you go home and stay home for 2-4 weeks (depending on rotation type). As for the flying - maybe you´ll be doing the ususal suspect of New York, Paris, London, Boston, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.,but if you´re lucky it will be with the occassional odd vacation trip to Maldives, Namibia, South Africa etc.. Anyways, life is not always easy. Good luck.

Klimax. I need that job!!!! Where can I apply? Feel free to PM me ;)

[FlyTCI]

Klimax. I need that job!!!! Where can I apply? Feel free to PM me ;)


I had that job for five years. BBJ with four weeks on/off, mixed SH and LH flying, sometimes in a major capital somewhere in the world, sometimes on a tropical beach, nice hotels, good pay, monthly per diem higher than many’s salary, sometimes a $2000 tip for a four hour flight yadayadayada. And then the plane sold and I was out in the cold...

[GE115b]

Some interesting comments here. In terms of long haul cargo, who are we actually referring too - Cargolux or Cargo Logic? LH sounds good, but I can’t speak german, anyhow lets see how they navigate the recent loses.

[aceman18]

BA 380 looks pretty decent?

[VinRouge]

BA 380 looks pretty decent?
very restricted destinations. Fine I suppose if golf in joberg is your ting!

[SMT Member]

FedEx 777 or UPS 747, by a country mile and then some. Downside: You make your own food and coffee.

[waffler]

Aer Lingus longhaul not the worst.
Good destinations, good people and most importantly, Eastbound, you are in your bed before any of the other majors land.

[Hank Moody]

Klm 777/787
on average 7/8/9 days blocks.
depends on your lifestyle.
Like; 3days trip-6days off(9days block) or if you like on route 5 days trip- 4days off(9days block)
bad ones are like jfk 3day trip- 2days off(5days block)
Most trips are 4/4.

[D-OCHO]

Klm 777/787
on average 7/8/9 days blocks.
depends on your lifestyle.
Like; 3days trip-6days off(9days block) or if you like on route 5 days trip- 4days off(9days block)
bad ones are like jfk 3day trip- 2days off(5days block)
Most trips are 4/4.
Good luck trying to get in.

[Meester proach]

Anywhere you can be long enough, to get part time !

[viking767]

AA 777 MIA base is quite nice, even though the DFW base has some better trips.

[SaulGoodman]

Aer Lingus longhaul not the worst.
Good destinations, good people and most importantly, Eastbound, you are in your bed before any of the other majors land.

haha! That is not longhaul ;)
taxes are horrendous though in the ROI. Plus the fact that nearly all flights will take you to the parking lot of the brave and the jack in the box of the free.

[waffler]

I have no idea what you are trying to say but 10.5 hours to Lax is longhaul enough for me.

[SaulGoodman]

I have no idea what you are trying to say but 10.5 hours to Lax is longhaul enough for me.

LAX fair enough but as most of the destinations are on the east side it is medium haul at best. Plus I am not a big fan of most cities in the US so it won’t be the best longhaul job for me.

offtopic: what will happen with the wet leased 757’s now that the Americans have clamped down on wetleases lasting longer than a certain period? Some news about that?

[Case One]

VA 787 definitely, better than the airbus fleet anyway!!

Ha, that made me laugh. Better than sh1t isn't much of a recommendation. Anyway, since when were we VA?

[Meester proach]

LAX fair enough but as most of the destinations are on the east side it is medium haul at best. Plus I am not a big fan of most cities in the US so it won’t be the best longhaul job for me.

offtopic: what will happen with the wet leased 757’s now that the Americans have clamped down on wetleases lasting longer than a certain period? Some news about that?
Clearly you are the authority on what constitutes longhaul and what doesn’t . AFAIK, if it’s across the Atlantic it’s longhaul .

[BitMoreRightRudder]

AFAIK, if it’s across the Atlantic it’s longhaul .

To stop you lads bickering may I refer you to Roy Mallard;

Q: “I’ve always wondered where a short haul flight ends and a long haul flight begins”

A: ”Ah, yes - Amsterdam”

[gatbusdriver]

ah yes......and the principals of flight,,,,,,

"Particle A leaves earlier?"

[Riskybis]

Personally I would say anywhere with a good part time system ,
TUI on the 787 would be good part time
VS (750hrs anyway so basically part time) can go even more part time which would be good although the wait is a few years now
BA seemed ok on part time but a monumental wait for it

just a few discussion points

[Flying Clog]

Agree with the above. Any part time long haul job, (true part time, not work stacking), is the best for work/life balance. If not, you'll burn out by 50 and be 6 feet under by 60.

Alas, at my draconian Far East employer, there is no part time. So I'll be retiring at 50 despite a company limit of 55/65 depending on which contract you're on.

A huge own goal for the company, but then they've got form in that regard.

[wiggy]

Personally I would say anywhere with a good part time system....

I think that’s a very very valid point, and it’s certainly probably more important to many than the equipment they are operating or the destinations they go to.

[macdo]

I think that’s a very very valid point, and it’s certainly probably more important to many than the equipment they are operating or the destinations they go to.
TBH, I think this comments applies to airline work across the board. I'm told that the % of part timers at EZY increases every year. So, for sanity's sake, PT LH in an airline that doesn't do sectors longer than 12hrs is the best job in aviation. One for the younger pilots to plan for.

[hunterboy]

Or a company that has decent rest facilities both onboard and off, with heavy crews.