In the airlines, whats the hardest part of the work?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 7
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From: UK
In the airlines, whats the hardest part of the work?
I hope I am posting in the right place!
I'm nearly forty with a wife and child. I've given up a great career in favour of one as an airline pilot and want to be prepared as much as possible for the challenges it will present to me, other than the obvious part of flying the aircraft.
I'm hoping to hear your personal opinion on where you feel the hard work really is as an ATP. We are all passionate about the best parts, but where does the energy drain really occur?
Is it dealing with stewardesses? Automation - (are we all control freaks)?! The toilets!?! Health issues?! The hours? Repetition? Your bosses? Delays?
I am aiming for Regional and Short Haul.....
Thank you!
I'm nearly forty with a wife and child. I've given up a great career in favour of one as an airline pilot and want to be prepared as much as possible for the challenges it will present to me, other than the obvious part of flying the aircraft.
I'm hoping to hear your personal opinion on where you feel the hard work really is as an ATP. We are all passionate about the best parts, but where does the energy drain really occur?
Is it dealing with stewardesses? Automation - (are we all control freaks)?! The toilets!?! Health issues?! The hours? Repetition? Your bosses? Delays?
I am aiming for Regional and Short Haul.....
Thank you!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: 2miles final
Definitely the working hours/ earlies /lates /jetlag / not being home when you want to..
That all depends on your company/fleet though.
Been flying for 4 years and the job is still just real fun for me. I'm always relaxed.
Most of the work is definitely on the ground, especially when dealing with delays/technicals/pax trouble etc but you grow into managing it.
Once up there, it can get a bit boring sometimes. I have seen some people doing nothing in cruise for hours, it's something I can't do but to each his own way of killing time.
Sometimes it really comes down to who you are with, be it in the cockpit or downroute. The right people can make any day really enjoyable and relaxing.
That all depends on your company/fleet though.
Been flying for 4 years and the job is still just real fun for me. I'm always relaxed.
Most of the work is definitely on the ground, especially when dealing with delays/technicals/pax trouble etc but you grow into managing it.
Once up there, it can get a bit boring sometimes. I have seen some people doing nothing in cruise for hours, it's something I can't do but to each his own way of killing time.
Sometimes it really comes down to who you are with, be it in the cockpit or downroute. The right people can make any day really enjoyable and relaxing.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 468
Likes: 3
From: London
People whining about how unhealthy the crew food is, yet are so enlightened that they bring their own shop bought ready meals which consist of the same junk just in larger quantities.
People who spend a grand on a fancy noise cancelling headset, yet don’t wear them once in the air and then flip the tray table folded then slam in into its holder full force creating a huge crash and bang, because that won’t damage their hearing at all will it?
People who spend a grand on a fancy noise cancelling headset, yet don’t wear them once in the air and then flip the tray table folded then slam in into its holder full force creating a huge crash and bang, because that won’t damage their hearing at all will it?
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 18
From: London
When you're at work, I think the job is great. I've never really had any major complaints.
For me the biggest issue is lifestyle. Unless you are on a fixed roster pattern, planning to do anything in the future becomes a nightmare. I just had to book a weeks annual leave just so I could book a track day I was given for christmas. Its also very hard to keep up with friends and family as plans need to be made a long time in advance, often of days of the week that don't suit most. Once you've missed several 'events' people just stop asking you. Unless your friends are in the industry they find it all very hard to understand.
I still like my job, and am not considering a change, but I'm suprised to say I do fantasize about being back in a nice office, working 0830-1800, home everynight with every weekend off.
For me the biggest issue is lifestyle. Unless you are on a fixed roster pattern, planning to do anything in the future becomes a nightmare. I just had to book a weeks annual leave just so I could book a track day I was given for christmas. Its also very hard to keep up with friends and family as plans need to be made a long time in advance, often of days of the week that don't suit most. Once you've missed several 'events' people just stop asking you. Unless your friends are in the industry they find it all very hard to understand.
I still like my job, and am not considering a change, but I'm suprised to say I do fantasize about being back in a nice office, working 0830-1800, home everynight with every weekend off.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 104
From: The Winchester
Agree very much with the two previous posts...you get all the "fun" and satisfaction of poor weather, delays, cancellations, disruptions etc.....your family don't....I'm afraid after a few weeks your tales of daring deeds, Cat 2/3 ILS's and just how you nailed it landing in a crosswind was will pale into significance when compared with the broken car/dishwasher/child.
...
If you are moving from a career with a stable "roster"/shift/working pattern then your social/family life is going to experience signifcant change - be ready for it...
.
...If you are moving from a career with a stable "roster"/shift/working pattern then your social/family life is going to experience signifcant change - be ready for it...
.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Uk
The destruction of your social life, your ability to be there for your family and the continual grind of short haul work. Delays that eat into the little time you have at home are common. For me the challenge is my own mental health. My wife no longer works to ensure we do get time together and I am lucky to have a strong family at home. I think if it broke my family then it would break me and I would be done.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 919
Likes: 6
From: uk
By far and away the biggest hassle is the constant tension between work and social/family life. The best mitigation is part time and planning to retire as early as you are able. The aggravating factors depend on the airline, but poor rostering, inefficient leave systems, commuting, sleep management, job insecurity, stress around sim/medicals and poor management are all to be considered.
I have rarely met a pilot who doesn't enjoy the job between doors closed and doors opening, but I have met some who find any of the above factors unbearable.
Perhaps, it is a career most suited to single people!
I have rarely met a pilot who doesn't enjoy the job between doors closed and doors opening, but I have met some who find any of the above factors unbearable.
Perhaps, it is a career most suited to single people!
SkyGod
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 108
From: Palm Coast, Florida, USA
Night flying long haul. Jet lag, always tired.
Most of the fellow cockpit crews are nice people, 90%, then there is 5% weirdos and 5% arseholes.
makes for a long day to fly with the last 5%..
The weird ones can be entertaining: Flew with a guy who strapped a gun to his hip, a clip board to his right thigh, a table napkin to protect his pants from the pesky seat belt, a torch (flash light) dangling from a string around his neck and finally white gloves for hand flying.
Quite a sight, but nice guy, a bit paranoid perhaps and taking no chances in this world.
F/As can be a mixed bag, some are nice and mature, some are drama queens, of both sexes.
I much prefer flying cargo and was lucky to work for an airline that had both pax and cargo kites.
Most of the fellow cockpit crews are nice people, 90%, then there is 5% weirdos and 5% arseholes.
makes for a long day to fly with the last 5%..
The weird ones can be entertaining: Flew with a guy who strapped a gun to his hip, a clip board to his right thigh, a table napkin to protect his pants from the pesky seat belt, a torch (flash light) dangling from a string around his neck and finally white gloves for hand flying.
Quite a sight, but nice guy, a bit paranoid perhaps and taking no chances in this world.
F/As can be a mixed bag, some are nice and mature, some are drama queens, of both sexes.
I much prefer flying cargo and was lucky to work for an airline that had both pax and cargo kites.
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Uk
Having no social life and very few friends, as most I made in aviation buggered off to the sand lands.
dealing with sketchy handling that can’t/ won’t provide anything .
falling asleep in the car on the way home .
dealing with sketchy handling that can’t/ won’t provide anything .
falling asleep in the car on the way home .
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Hardest thing for me is getting called out of standby at 6pm for a 2-sector 2-crew night turn and trying to land at 8am having being on duty for 12 hours and awake for nearly 24 hrs.
Otherwise the hardest bit is keeping fatigue at bay and finding time to do all those things which work gets in the way of: eating healthily, exercising and sleeping.
When the aircraft doors are shut it's the best job. When the doors are open you have no authority or control.
Otherwise the hardest bit is keeping fatigue at bay and finding time to do all those things which work gets in the way of: eating healthily, exercising and sleeping.
When the aircraft doors are shut it's the best job. When the doors are open you have no authority or control.
Last edited by Priority Club; 27th March 2019 at 20:56.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 7
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From: UK
On that last comment, can anyone elaborate?
I have been self employed for over decade and will probably be FO for a good while. I have a huge amount of patience and understanding of all characters. But, are there enough captains who will disrespect me and wear me down that it's worth mentioning? Or are they generally great, humble people who are professional all the time?
Thanks everyone so far. It's offering a good insight for us who are sacrificing a huge amount (and late on) to make what is essentially a lifestyle choice.
Editing to say that, the "lifestyle choice" is that I'm trying to fulfill a certain dream and it's the worse lifestyle that I'm getting prepared for. Also, hoping that the airline companies don't abuse that all day long!
Cheers
I have been self employed for over decade and will probably be FO for a good while. I have a huge amount of patience and understanding of all characters. But, are there enough captains who will disrespect me and wear me down that it's worth mentioning? Or are they generally great, humble people who are professional all the time?
Thanks everyone so far. It's offering a good insight for us who are sacrificing a huge amount (and late on) to make what is essentially a lifestyle choice.
Editing to say that, the "lifestyle choice" is that I'm trying to fulfill a certain dream and it's the worse lifestyle that I'm getting prepared for. Also, hoping that the airline companies don't abuse that all day long!
Cheers
Last edited by AluminBird; 27th March 2019 at 19:10. Reason: Clarification
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Uk
On that last comment, can anyone elaborate?
I have been self employed for over decade and will probably be FO for a good while. I have a huge amount of patience and understanding of all characters. But, are there enough captains who will disrespect me and wear me down that it's worth mentioning? Or are they generally great, humble people who are professional all the time?
Thanks everyone so far. It's offering a good insight for us who are sacrificing a huge amount (and late on) to make what is essentially a lifestyle choice. Ain't doing it for the money that's for sure!
I have been self employed for over decade and will probably be FO for a good while. I have a huge amount of patience and understanding of all characters. But, are there enough captains who will disrespect me and wear me down that it's worth mentioning? Or are they generally great, humble people who are professional all the time?
Thanks everyone so far. It's offering a good insight for us who are sacrificing a huge amount (and late on) to make what is essentially a lifestyle choice. Ain't doing it for the money that's for sure!
How longs a piece of string ? Aviation attracts as much a cross section of humanity as anywhere else. If you have a problem with someone , you can’t escape, your stuck in 10’x10’ for hours......And don’t forget not all the aholes are in the LHS...
if you are doing it for the “ lifestyle “ your current one can’t be much cop.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 468
Likes: 3
From: London
How longs a piece of string ? Aviation attracts as much a cross section of humanity as anywhere else. If you have a problem with someone , you can’t escape, your stuck in 10’x10’ for hours......And don’t forget not all the aholes are in the LHS...
if you are doing it for the “ lifestyle “ your current one can’t be much cop.
Generally people are are great and make the job and sometimes I’m genuinely sad to be finishing work and coming home from work as crazy as the sounds. Other times a simple domestic there and back can feel like I’ve done LHR-PER and back again but that’s exceptionally rare.
SkyGod
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 108
From: Palm Coast, Florida, USA