Random questions about the life of pilots for my book.

[papillon23]

Hi there,

I am writing a novel where one of the characters is a pilot for a major airline. I would be grateful if anyone could answer some random questions for me:
1) Do pilots have a central office that they have to go to? Where do they pick up information regarding their flight schedules etc? Do they have some kind of cubby hole/contact at the airport or something?
2) Do pilots tend to stick to the same route or does it vary greatly? Would a pilot on a regular route to Tokyo, end up flying to Bombay, for instance?
3) Do pilots have a room in airports where they hang out?
4) Where do they change into uniform? Do they do it at the airport or do they do it at home?
5) If a pilot was telling his colleagues of his route for the day would he just say for instance 'I'm flying to Japan today' or is there some insider lingo?
6) If you do have a set route, for instance Tokyo, how often would you find yourself in Tokyo per month and do you have any free days to see the city before you have to fly back?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[Rainboe]

1- at bases, airlines have a crew reporting centre usually with company mail, human resources, printing, managers, sometimes canteen facilities. Elsewhere, crew go straight to the aeroplane with their IDs and paperwork is brought to the aeroplane.
2- varies greatly. Yes
3- not unless it is a base
4- most drive in in uniform. Some fly in dressed variously, usually in uniform
5- 'I'll fly first leg, you do second, then we'll swap for the way back' or 'weather in xxxx dodgy- I will fly out, you back' etc.
6- Usually not more than once a month at most on a big fleet. Multiple short trips- sometimes a couple of times a month. Sightseeing? Not often. Heard of time change. It's not a holiday, it's work. usually 24 hour nightstops to get same flight back. Take work away, reading, visit favourite bars or restaurants, watch TV, pack up and get dressed. You have to conserve your energy for work, not tourism.

Outsiders can never do this without a lot of research for authenticity- it never sounds 'right'. Good luck, but maybe you should steer clear of the crew angle and go for the passenger side.

[11Fan]

Your name wouldn't happen to be Frank Abagnale, would it?

[TSR2]

papillon23

Suggest you get a copy of the BBC documentary 'A Pilots Life' which follows the life of a long haul pilot from flight planning to lay-over activities down route.

Although first transmitted in 1985, the fundamentals remain the same today.

And the same goes for:
Unquestionable status of Captain.
Exceptionally high remuneration.
More than adequate relief periods during flight.
Highest quality on-board food.
Long rest periods between flights.
Best suites in finest quality hotels.
Unimaginable perks.

[papillon23]

Thanks for the responses. Few more questions

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Also to poster nr 3, I will try to get hold of the documentary.

The book is not about pilots or air travel. One of the characters happens to be a pilot and this has a small bearing on the plot.

Can I also ask if pilots have the flexibility to choose their co-pilots or is it hard to form friendships as the relationships are so fleeting.

Also, I presume that if a pilot wanted to fly a certain route for whatever reason, this might be accommodated? Even if its just once every 2 months or so.

Finally, by 'base' I am assuming an airport such as Heathrow or JFK?

[11Fan]

Look here

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Actually, a fine movie, with a little poetic license I suspect.

[Rainboe]

You have no choice of copilot. Plenty of time for friendships, you socialise on trips and can play squash or tennis anytime. Often pilots share accommodation if they are young. Often seniority determines where your trips are going if the airline is big. It doesn't matter unless the stays are longer than a day. A base is where pilots may live and report for work as their place of work. Many airlines have multiple bases if they are big enough.