Harsh Realities of being an airline pilot
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Like anything in life really isnt it. Ups and downs, but hopefully you have more ups than downs. I've done the office life, now in my fifth year airline flying, second airline. I wouldnt go back to an office for a big gold clock.
HOWEVER........there are times when all that entails with working for an airline starts to p you off. VERY long days at times, and it is far more tiring than a long day in the office. Plenty of dicking about by ops at times, plans have to be shelved at short notice which doesnt always go down well with Ms Shankly, and although it may sound petty, after a while you do sometimes wish for a more "regular" life. However, you then remember the days of previous jobs and yeah, I'm glad I do what I do. But to those who say oh stop moaning you lot, please be a bit mindful and respectful that some of us at the coalface are only trying to say the realities as we see them, and its not always rosy in the garden at 37000.
And some guys might have posted on here after a long 12 hour day, where nothing seems to go right, wx is gash and youre bloody knackered.
All you guys who will make it into this game, and you will with a bit of determination and nouse, you WILL at some time think the same as some of the experienced guys on here and have some of your own mutterings of discontent with your airline, I guarantee it!
Best job in the world? Mmm, I dont think so. A bloody good job which you enjoy, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, then yeah I think thats fair to say. For me anyway.
HOWEVER........there are times when all that entails with working for an airline starts to p you off. VERY long days at times, and it is far more tiring than a long day in the office. Plenty of dicking about by ops at times, plans have to be shelved at short notice which doesnt always go down well with Ms Shankly, and although it may sound petty, after a while you do sometimes wish for a more "regular" life. However, you then remember the days of previous jobs and yeah, I'm glad I do what I do. But to those who say oh stop moaning you lot, please be a bit mindful and respectful that some of us at the coalface are only trying to say the realities as we see them, and its not always rosy in the garden at 37000.
And some guys might have posted on here after a long 12 hour day, where nothing seems to go right, wx is gash and youre bloody knackered.
All you guys who will make it into this game, and you will with a bit of determination and nouse, you WILL at some time think the same as some of the experienced guys on here and have some of your own mutterings of discontent with your airline, I guarantee it!
Best job in the world? Mmm, I dont think so. A bloody good job which you enjoy, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, then yeah I think thats fair to say. For me anyway.
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I suppose it also depends on which airline you work for! My company is pretty dam good with interesting routes, fairly good Ts and Cs, good pay and the option not to spend every night away from home, though I do have to negotiate LHR which is a horrendous place. 2 sector days are pretty common at the moment and sometimes get home before lunch!
Also what you have to think of is do I take work home with me? Never!! Am I stressed? No because I don't worry about work anymore
I take my job very seriously thanks MP but to me it's a vocational profession rather than a job for a job's sake. I don't view it as work but something I do and get great satisfaction from, to the extent I look forward to going to work and not having the Sunday night dread of the week ahead, which I had for nearly a decade.
Any ups and downs are the same in any job, plus 12 hour days at a most now not 16 or even 18 hours as in my last job with no legal cap on it!!
Also what you have to think of is do I take work home with me? Never!! Am I stressed? No because I don't worry about work anymore
I take my job very seriously thanks MP but to me it's a vocational profession rather than a job for a job's sake. I don't view it as work but something I do and get great satisfaction from, to the extent I look forward to going to work and not having the Sunday night dread of the week ahead, which I had for nearly a decade.
Any ups and downs are the same in any job, plus 12 hour days at a most now not 16 or even 18 hours as in my last job with no legal cap on it!!
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Every job has it's bad points. How did you guys discover the bad points of becoming a pilot? Bet it wasn't pprune.You went and did it. Regret regretting 
wannabes, you have a goal, try your best to get there. Can't say you haven't tried then!
Don't let an online forum defer you from what you want to do.
wannabes, you have a goal, try your best to get there. Can't say you haven't tried then!
Don't let an online forum defer you from what you want to do.
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Either way, i've just left my cruddy 9-5 office job, dealing with complete fukwits all day. Im 21 and have been working offices for the last 4 years, currently earning 70k a year. When it comes down to it, at this point in my life, the money means nothing so i'm just going to go ahead n do what ever it takes to get into an airline, regardless if it means moving half way around the world for a few years to get the hours up .... just the sorta thing you old timers wanna hear 
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How about the emotional aspect of the whole thing?
16. You have to listen to your child say "Daddy" for the first time but it's over the phone
17. You have to listen to your wife screaming with joy on the phone as your child takes those first few stumbling steps when you are at a off-base home.
So many reasons why NOT to be an airline pilot..... but then again... would any of us actually do anything different if we were given the chance to start over? I think NOT 
16. You have to listen to your child say "Daddy" for the first time but it's over the phone
17. You have to listen to your wife screaming with joy on the phone as your child takes those first few stumbling steps when you are at a off-base home.
So many reasons why NOT to be an airline pilot..... but then again... would any of us actually do anything different if we were given the chance to start over?
I think NOT
All of you guys just proved what I said in the last part of my earlier post
No matter how many hardships there are or miseries you may encounter, none of us would have done a thing different!
Best of luck to all those aspiring to and working hard to get in here..... It's not all bad and definitely, there are, more pros than there are cons!
Work hard, do your best and in the end you will value that first airline job! Then one day when you all have also seen as many dawns and dusks as some of us have seen from up here, remember to help that young, eager junior guy out as well, for he was, once upon a time, you. Never forget your roots!
Wild Blue out!
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WB,
Bravo for this part:
"Then one day when you all have also seen as many dawns and dusks as some of us have seen from up here, remember to help that young, eager junior guy out as well, for he was, once upon a time, you. Never forget your roots!"
I think it's in blood and anything like this won't stop you. Despite the present situation (fuel prices hiting FTOs, and airlines, merger of airlines, overcrewed, surplus) I'm about to start my flight training and spend all my savings so far on it. Maybe some say it's sillines, but yes I'm crazy 4; because I can't think of these odds and ends as my desire grabs me toward it and doesn't let me think of it.
Anhanh! aside from being in blood and childhood desire I started active efforts to get into this career in my 16 or 17 and suffered alot finally at this age I have been able to do some saving and start my training, and I hope that fuel prices don't create any probelm for me this time, as I have limited budget.
Bravo for this part:
"Then one day when you all have also seen as many dawns and dusks as some of us have seen from up here, remember to help that young, eager junior guy out as well, for he was, once upon a time, you. Never forget your roots!
"I think it's in blood and anything like this won't stop you. Despite the present situation (fuel prices hiting FTOs, and airlines, merger of airlines, overcrewed, surplus) I'm about to start my flight training and spend all my savings so far on it. Maybe some say it's sillines, but yes I'm crazy 4; because I can't think of these odds and ends as my desire grabs me toward it and doesn't let me think of it.
Anhanh! aside from being in blood and childhood desire I started active efforts to get into this career in my 16 or 17 and suffered alot finally at this age I have been able to do some saving and start my training, and I hope that fuel prices don't create any probelm for me this time, as I have limited budget.
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As if PPRUNE needs a thread for pilots to moan on!
Having said that, it's very interesting. I also have yet to read anything which has come close to changing my mind.
I left uni and went into a 'top' graduate job with one of the big 4 financial institutions. Absolutely horrendous. Much worse than my jobs in call centres and building sites. We were all told by high up that a position in middle management earning £60k per year was as good as life gets.
There is not one single point on this thread which I have never experienced to a much higher degree. I've worked in airline ops for 4 years and am under no illusion as to what is required of a pilot.
I used to work 18 hour days, take work home, spend 3 hours a day in rush hour traffic and have zero job satisfaction just to name a few. None apply to a pilot.
It seems to me that the main complaint is long haulers not spending enough time at home.
Well, do short haul then!
EK
Having said that, it's very interesting. I also have yet to read anything which has come close to changing my mind.
I left uni and went into a 'top' graduate job with one of the big 4 financial institutions. Absolutely horrendous. Much worse than my jobs in call centres and building sites. We were all told by high up that a position in middle management earning £60k per year was as good as life gets.
There is not one single point on this thread which I have never experienced to a much higher degree. I've worked in airline ops for 4 years and am under no illusion as to what is required of a pilot.
I used to work 18 hour days, take work home, spend 3 hours a day in rush hour traffic and have zero job satisfaction just to name a few. None apply to a pilot.
It seems to me that the main complaint is long haulers not spending enough time at home.
Well, do short haul then! EK
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Well I personally know two people who left Airbus 320 jobs to become unemployed - they couldn't stand working for my previous employer any more. We were treated like utter Sh*t most of the time. It got to a point I was dreading going to work due to being used by both the management and the pilots against each other (being a foreign pilot). Leave was not allowed so I worked 1 year 5 months with only 2 days leave taken. Mixed earlies and lates also, so one night I would fly overnight to Moscow, landing midday back at base, then the next day I would fly a 5:15 report 3 hours each way flight to Heathrow. It certainly was a harsh job, all my friends in various professions were amazed at the pathetic working life. Try working 7 days in a row long flights, mixed times, and then shoot a night NDB into Benghazi. Oh yeah got paid around £20,000 per annum.
The airline I work for now is excellent, good T+Cs, well managed, great people etc. The upshot is I look forward to work now. A day at work is a nice fun day out with friends with some flying thrown in (generally). Even the management pilots are ace - at my old airline I used to have to call them Sir or Captain. Never first name terms.
I used to instruct, that was 6 days a week, 11,000 per year, what a waste of time, didn't teach me much about flying, just ball ache really. Not even scheduled a lunch break. No flying because of bad wx? No worries, go sweep the hangar, clean the aircraft etc. Some mild satisfaction but generally just plain hard work.
So all in all flying jobs can be great, they can also be ****e. Get the good job, but at first you might have to do some poor ones. From my first airline I got what I needed, good experience having flown to most airports in Europe now, also multiple wet leases around the place. Finally I have what I want thankfully.
The airline I work for now is excellent, good T+Cs, well managed, great people etc. The upshot is I look forward to work now. A day at work is a nice fun day out with friends with some flying thrown in (generally). Even the management pilots are ace - at my old airline I used to have to call them Sir or Captain. Never first name terms.
I used to instruct, that was 6 days a week, 11,000 per year, what a waste of time, didn't teach me much about flying, just ball ache really. Not even scheduled a lunch break. No flying because of bad wx? No worries, go sweep the hangar, clean the aircraft etc. Some mild satisfaction but generally just plain hard work.
So all in all flying jobs can be great, they can also be ****e. Get the good job, but at first you might have to do some poor ones. From my first airline I got what I needed, good experience having flown to most airports in Europe now, also multiple wet leases around the place. Finally I have what I want thankfully.
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you guys don't know how lucky you are.
i'm working my balls off doing telesales on a depressing industrial estate so i can pay off my debts so i can finish my degree in a subject i dislike just so i can get a job that gives me the faintest glimour of hope of eventually raising the cash needed to finance my aspirations of becoming a pilot.
yes, i'm aware of the pros and (numerous) cons of this industry. this thread could reach page 100 and my enthusiasm wouldn't be dented.
i'm working my balls off doing telesales on a depressing industrial estate so i can pay off my debts so i can finish my degree in a subject i dislike just so i can get a job that gives me the faintest glimour of hope of eventually raising the cash needed to finance my aspirations of becoming a pilot.
yes, i'm aware of the pros and (numerous) cons of this industry. this thread could reach page 100 and my enthusiasm wouldn't be dented.
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This thread's even better that Monty Python's 'Four Yorkshiremen'
Tell the wannabies of today that, and they wont believe you.
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Whatever airline pilots write in this thread, it won't change any wannabe mind reading it, for they have already made up their minds. To them, it is still a dream job and despite highlighted negative points they are miniscule in wannabe eyes. You lot should have more respect for our hard work - I had to run a lot to win my badminton game today while I was on stand by 
The "Harsh realities of being an airline pilot"
I was having a real "I've had enough of this day" before I went to work this afternoon. Can't be bothered driving to work, argueing with security, making my own sandwiches etc etc.
Then I did four sectors up and down the UK in a not especially new or clean medium jet, and on the last sector it being almost mid summer and still only dusk at 2230 local even a major suburban sprawl in the middle of the UK looked beautiful with the street lights just coming on and building high pressure making the clouds dissapear and the sky turn blue. I've been doing this for 27 years and the F/O I was with for 20 and we agreed it was a privilege to be able to look out of those flight deck windows as we were tonight.
It doesn't matter if you're in a boeing or an airbus or a jetstream or a shed, if you want harsh realities then spend your life hitting bits of metal on a production line or washing dishes or down a coal mine, retire at 65 and die two years later of some horrid industrial disease. No one said you had to spend a small fortune getting your licences, it was your choice - if your not happy s*d off and do something else and let someone fly the aeroplane who is going to enjoy it.
I was having a real "I've had enough of this day" before I went to work this afternoon. Can't be bothered driving to work, argueing with security, making my own sandwiches etc etc.
Then I did four sectors up and down the UK in a not especially new or clean medium jet, and on the last sector it being almost mid summer and still only dusk at 2230 local even a major suburban sprawl in the middle of the UK looked beautiful with the street lights just coming on and building high pressure making the clouds dissapear and the sky turn blue. I've been doing this for 27 years and the F/O I was with for 20 and we agreed it was a privilege to be able to look out of those flight deck windows as we were tonight.
It doesn't matter if you're in a boeing or an airbus or a jetstream or a shed, if you want harsh realities then spend your life hitting bits of metal on a production line or washing dishes or down a coal mine, retire at 65 and die two years later of some horrid industrial disease. No one said you had to spend a small fortune getting your licences, it was your choice - if your not happy s*d off and do something else and let someone fly the aeroplane who is going to enjoy it.
To echo excrab's comments I spent all last week hand flying visual approaches into Scottish airports. The views were fantastic, the banter even better and the days were topped off with a run round Arthur' Seat and a beer with the cabin crew. And I was being paid for all this :-)
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Best job in the world? Probably not me that's got it, but Bruce Dickinson, hmmm yeah I think he comes pretty close. International rock star and airline pilot. But I'll settle for half of that.
It is a great job, and I'm pretty sure most of us look fwd to going into work, which to me anyway, is worth its weight in gold. As long as you come in with your eyes wide open, theres no reason why it wouldnt be anything else but a fantastic career. I just think it's important for some wannabees to hear the day to day grumbles, as well as the positives, of life as we see it.
I know most guys will have a good idea of what its about, however youd be surprised at some of the newbees "notions" of what its "meant to be like" to how it actually is, seriously. And if this thread and others similar can point out a few home truths to those less in the know, then its a good thing.
I know, come hell or high water, most lads wil train and get there, and very good luck. I'll just point out a case of one new guy flying for a nightfreight airline, complaining he was sick of getting rostered nights all the time!
As I say, youd be surprised...................
Right, thats my two penneth, Strangeways Here We Come...........
It is a great job, and I'm pretty sure most of us look fwd to going into work, which to me anyway, is worth its weight in gold. As long as you come in with your eyes wide open, theres no reason why it wouldnt be anything else but a fantastic career. I just think it's important for some wannabees to hear the day to day grumbles, as well as the positives, of life as we see it.
I know most guys will have a good idea of what its about, however youd be surprised at some of the newbees "notions" of what its "meant to be like" to how it actually is, seriously. And if this thread and others similar can point out a few home truths to those less in the know, then its a good thing.
I know, come hell or high water, most lads wil train and get there, and very good luck. I'll just point out a case of one new guy flying for a nightfreight airline, complaining he was sick of getting rostered nights all the time!
As I say, youd be surprised...................
Right, thats my two penneth, Strangeways Here We Come...........
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I don't think that this thread was started with the intention of putting off 'wannabe' pilots. In that case I would not have posted at all....
From my point of view, it was just to give an insight into the realities of this job. It's not the easiest in the world to deal with and especially if you are a family man, it plays hell with that part of your life sometimes. Mrs. Wild_Blue has often proven me right on that point
I have said in both my posts, no matter how many "Harsh Realities' there are in this job just like in any other (maybe a little more so than others), none of us would have done a thing different if we were given a second chance, That's called passion. The single most important thing you must have when you decide to dive into this career is passion. If that passion you have runs out one day, you can bet your boots, you will grow tired of this job. You will complain and b***h and act like a total ass and be hated by all those in you airline.
So all I say to you youngsters is listen with your ears open. Always read the fine print in everything in life. Getting this job has not been easy at all for most of us. I don't even need to go there. For some of us this is just a second life. At an earlier life, like mine, passion for flying and especially for living is what kept all those missiles from blowing me to kingdom come
Go at it with all your heart and one day you will succeed and when you do, don't forget how you got here and where you came from......
Wild_Blue Out!
From my point of view, it was just to give an insight into the realities of this job. It's not the easiest in the world to deal with and especially if you are a family man, it plays hell with that part of your life sometimes. Mrs. Wild_Blue has often proven me right on that point
I have said in both my posts, no matter how many "Harsh Realities' there are in this job just like in any other (maybe a little more so than others), none of us would have done a thing different if we were given a second chance, That's called passion. The single most important thing you must have when you decide to dive into this career is passion. If that passion you have runs out one day, you can bet your boots, you will grow tired of this job. You will complain and b***h and act like a total ass and be hated by all those in you airline.
So all I say to you youngsters is listen with your ears open. Always read the fine print in everything in life. Getting this job has not been easy at all for most of us. I don't even need to go there. For some of us this is just a second life. At an earlier life, like mine, passion for flying and especially for living is what kept all those missiles from blowing me to kingdom come
Go at it with all your heart and one day you will succeed and when you do, don't forget how you got here and where you came from......
Wild_Blue Out!
Wild_Blue
I reckon it was a great job to go into and for those of us lucky enough to be near the top of the tree with a major I still don't think there is much to beat it...I certainly wouldn't swop my seat for one in an office...but do not underestimate the effect it has on family life - as someone else has posted earlier missing the kids first words/steps/nativity play does have effect after a while.
I said "was" a great job to go into; the World has changed over > 30 years and I don't see the newbies now having the same rewards in terms of a career path, money or lifestyle that I had. I'm certainly not going to encourage my kids to be pilots..but you can't tell the youth of today anything
I reckon it was a great job to go into and for those of us lucky enough to be near the top of the tree with a major I still don't think there is much to beat it...I certainly wouldn't swop my seat for one in an office...but do not underestimate the effect it has on family life - as someone else has posted earlier missing the kids first words/steps/nativity play does have effect after a while.
I said "was" a great job to go into; the World has changed over > 30 years and I don't see the newbies now having the same rewards in terms of a career path, money or lifestyle that I had. I'm certainly not going to encourage my kids to be pilots..but you can't tell the youth of today anything
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No wonder pilots have such a reputation for whinging. Some of you people sound like you've never done a real day's work in your life if you think flying is an especially hard job. No one holds a gun to your head to make you fly. If you don't like it, do us all a favour, stop moaning about it and get another job.
