Pilots - Do you have a social life as a pilot
 

Do commercial pilots get time to have a social life and what is life like working as a pilot?

I'm sorry, but that is a really really daft question. It doesn't sound if you are very dedicated to aviation. What is more important- the social calendar or getting into flying? Try DJ-ing.

Its not a daft question at all. It is worth going into whatever you do with your eyes open.

The answer - yes, you do have a social life. Its not like the average persons, going out on a Friday and Saturday, and it takes more effort than the average. But you do have a social life and a very good one at that, if you are willing to make a few sacrifices and gain a lot of other fortunate things.

Very valid question indeed, its not our job to judge the intentions behind it...all we Ppruners should do is answer.

Your life as a pilot can be miserable or great, I ran the entire spectrum, it started out great then it began to stink..now its great again!
As a pilot you have the flexibility to do anything, the rest is up to you!:)

I am not a commercial pilot, so can't answer specifically, but I think every job in the world has it's up's and downs - it's a case of outweighing the down's really.

:ok:

In short, yes I have a social life, however, it does take quite a bit of planning to sort everything out.

I play in a band, considering rosters are only issued month by month, that's a nightmare arranging rehearsal/gigs etc. In fact we've canned it until the end of the summer, I'm just too busy right now.

There is the odd annoyance, can't make it to some events because I'm due to be flying, or I have to leave early because of an early report or standby, but generally it works out okay.

Before flying for a living I WAS a DJ, which meant NEVER having a weekend off at all, shows what Rainboe knows about it!

Great thread.

I find the move from 9-5/6/7/8 to a roster quite a worry too. It's not because I don't enjoy my flying, it's that I love going out with the beers with the boys quite often too!

I think it's a fairly natural worry to be honest - unless you have no friends and sit at the end of your nearest runway with a thermos and your best mate Dave - the scanner!

Cheers

Yes we do have a social life. As mentioned earlier, weekends have less meaning to us than to a lot of friends, which can cause difficulties.

However, most of the blokes I socialize with are exceptionally jealous of my work regime, and have to admit I am not jealous of theirs.