Career Advice - LH or SH?
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 18
From: London
Done both, and enjoyed them both.
However, for me, LH all the way. There are downsides, and it is important to have a supportive and trusting partner ... but in a nutshell 1) far more quality time at home 2) job feels much less monotonous 3) travelling the world is amazing. It's the dream job for me.
However, for me, LH all the way. There are downsides, and it is important to have a supportive and trusting partner ... but in a nutshell 1) far more quality time at home 2) job feels much less monotonous 3) travelling the world is amazing. It's the dream job for me.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 18
From: London
I would go so far as to say, long haul significantly shortens your life expectancy and well being. It's boring flying, and in an airline, one doesn't generally get to 'see the world', just airports hub areas and same old same old eateries and/or drinking dens (unless you really crank up the fatigue by trekking into the cities and environs).
But, I do recommend getting it out of your system while you're young. Or a quality biz jet operator is a good idea, interesting off the beaten path layovers. At the end of the day, it's a job which pays the bills, and short haul is less deleterious on the health.
But, I do recommend getting it out of your system while you're young. Or a quality biz jet operator is a good idea, interesting off the beaten path layovers. At the end of the day, it's a job which pays the bills, and short haul is less deleterious on the health.
This month I've had two days skiing, two days kitesurfing and took the old man with me for a few nights exploring a Far Eastern capital. Its been a blast!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Whitehall
People reliably underestimate the effect of compound interest. Consider an extra £10k in your pension at 30 will be £100k at 65. Every £10k banked at 30 is a year you don’t have to work, or a few where you can be part time. The quicker you can get the captain pension coming in, the more flexibility you have down the line.
One can debate SH v LH, but everyone likes a day off.
One can debate SH v LH, but everyone likes a day off.
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 76
Likes: 66
From: Hong Kong
People reliably underestimate the effect of compound interest. Consider an extra £10k in your pension at 30 will be £100k at 65. Every £10k banked at 30 is a year you don’t have to work, or a few where you can be part time. The quicker you can get the captain pension coming in, the more flexibility you have down the line.
One can debate SH v LH, but everyone likes a day off.
One can debate SH v LH, but everyone likes a day off.
Your 10 k are 39k with net 4% / annum after inflation. If you start 5 years later the 10 k become 32 k. That is a difference of 7k.
On a side note, in my compamy SH and LH pay is about the same.
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 491
From: Europe
One man’s perk is another man’s inconvenience. And what is often regarded as a perk often comes at a cost. It’s up to the individual to decide wether it’s suits them or not.
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 446
Likes: 7
From: Germany
Edit: I quoted the wrong comment 🙃. Wanted to quote the comment about that SH is easier and healthier.
It all depends. Short Haul 4 Legs a day. Delays between turn arounds.
In the winter de icing. Sometimes even a few times per day.
Zero Layovers.
If you fly short / medium haul cargo, exhausting night flying.
Most probably I still forgot a few items, but short haul isnt as easy as you picture it.
I fly LH ACMI OPS.
We have plenty of nice layover.
I just came back today from 5 days Chicago. Played 3 days in a row golf.
In a few days Layover in Shanghaj.
Cant complain here.
But I dont think Long Haul shortens your life.
Dont forget also, in Biz Jet Aviation, NETJETS and FlexJet are the ONLY Real options for a career. But dont forget the fact that you still have to do the Luggage loading yourself for your guests. Broom off the snow from the aircraft.
Not healthy on the long run either.
And when you stay to long in Biz Aviation, it is VERY hard to come back to the Airline Business and often your hrs in not so good times are considered by many companies Useless.
It remains important to take time also to do sports, eat healthy as much as you can.
Just My 2 Cents 😉✈️
It all depends. Short Haul 4 Legs a day. Delays between turn arounds.
In the winter de icing. Sometimes even a few times per day.
Zero Layovers.
If you fly short / medium haul cargo, exhausting night flying.
Most probably I still forgot a few items, but short haul isnt as easy as you picture it.
I fly LH ACMI OPS.
We have plenty of nice layover.
I just came back today from 5 days Chicago. Played 3 days in a row golf.
In a few days Layover in Shanghaj.
Cant complain here.
But I dont think Long Haul shortens your life.
Dont forget also, in Biz Jet Aviation, NETJETS and FlexJet are the ONLY Real options for a career. But dont forget the fact that you still have to do the Luggage loading yourself for your guests. Broom off the snow from the aircraft.
Not healthy on the long run either.
And when you stay to long in Biz Aviation, it is VERY hard to come back to the Airline Business and often your hrs in not so good times are considered by many companies Useless.
It remains important to take time also to do sports, eat healthy as much as you can.
Just My 2 Cents 😉✈️
Last edited by P40Warhawk; 30th August 2024 at 16:41.
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 446
Likes: 7
From: Germany
Hi everyone, just after some career advice from a mix of people with different experience as I don't know many ex or current long haul people. I know people will tell me it all depends what I want out of life and a career but at this stage I'm not sure exactly what at I want and I want to think closely about the options I am considering.
I am a current 737 FO with about 1200hrs on type, flying for J2 at a regional base. I feel well treated by the company and the lifestyle is working for me as a 20 something year old with no children yet. I will soon have the opportunity to leave if I want to, or I could stay and in 4-6 years time be looking at a command here. If I did that I'd like to look into training and various other roles in the future to keep the job interesting although I know that will add lifestyle complications too.
If I leave, the only realistic options in the UK are BA or VA. I wouldn't move to another SH operator as I'd rather stay where I am. Moving to either LH operator would probably mean living closer to Heathrow as I currently enjoy a 15 minute commute into work and a long commute could be a lifestyle issue, although I'm keen to hear the thoughts of those who work out of LHR. Another option is the ME but on the whole it seems that is not a long term career option for most. I do like the idea of seeing the world and flying the big machines but I wonder what living out a suitcase would actually be like in the long run, and how it would affect family life.
For me this boils down to, would I be missing out if I don't try to make a LH move? If so, I understand the earlier I move the better it will be eventually. Or is it a case of the grass is not always greener and a SH career, getting an early command and doing different roles after that also a good career option? I'd be grateful for views from people with either SH or LH experience and what they have gotten out of their careers.
I am a current 737 FO with about 1200hrs on type, flying for J2 at a regional base. I feel well treated by the company and the lifestyle is working for me as a 20 something year old with no children yet. I will soon have the opportunity to leave if I want to, or I could stay and in 4-6 years time be looking at a command here. If I did that I'd like to look into training and various other roles in the future to keep the job interesting although I know that will add lifestyle complications too.
If I leave, the only realistic options in the UK are BA or VA. I wouldn't move to another SH operator as I'd rather stay where I am. Moving to either LH operator would probably mean living closer to Heathrow as I currently enjoy a 15 minute commute into work and a long commute could be a lifestyle issue, although I'm keen to hear the thoughts of those who work out of LHR. Another option is the ME but on the whole it seems that is not a long term career option for most. I do like the idea of seeing the world and flying the big machines but I wonder what living out a suitcase would actually be like in the long run, and how it would affect family life.
For me this boils down to, would I be missing out if I don't try to make a LH move? If so, I understand the earlier I move the better it will be eventually. Or is it a case of the grass is not always greener and a SH career, getting an early command and doing different roles after that also a good career option? I'd be grateful for views from people with either SH or LH experience and what they have gotten out of their careers.
Ive done ACMI 737 OPS.
Now I fly the Queen also ACMI. Few weeks on, few weeks off.
This is not made for everyone. It is sometimes tough.
I just have a 1 month old baby son.
Right now I am a few weeks away from home. That is not easy as I cannot support my better half at home with the baby.
But when I come home, Im a full 2 weeks at home.
On the flip side. ACMI LH is a great type of OPS. Many different Destinations. It changes also a lot. Everytime new destinations are added.
The layovers are on a regular basis a few days, so you actually have the opportunity to explore.
I just got back from 5 days Chicago. Played a few rounds of golf 😄👍.
With Major Carriers, you usually have only 24 hrs or if you are lucky 48 hrs layovers.
ME, well you have to like it. Im in the ME a lot. That lifestyle there would be nothing for me.
If being not far away from home and UK is your home, then BA or VA are the best options.
You are still young, but in your age it is of utmost importance to make up your mind. Seniority is holy.
I was kinda to old to go to a Major carrier. Im happy where I am and will stay here, but if I were your age, I would go for a shot at BA and or VA. Especially, BA would be a good option. You can bid for LH and if you dont like it, you can go back to SH.
Otherwise, stay at J2. I heard good stories about that company and as you mentioned yourself, you get treated respectfully. That is RARE in our business.
Good luck 😉✈️
Last edited by P40Warhawk; 30th August 2024 at 16:38.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Tropics
If you enjoy working for the company where you are right now that’s got a good culture and you get treated respectfully, sticking to SH with them if you see a future there for yourself is not exactly a bad idea too.
Money is only part of the equation. Moreover you’d get a reasonable pay raise after you get your Command which should come a lot quicker than flying LH, and there is no doubt that it is easier and more enjoyable to work on the LHS compared to the RHS. A lot more sectors on SH, but doing them as a Captain is hardly a chore.
You’d still flying a modern Boeing/Airbus. I have close friends who are on the widebodies after doing SH, and they all agree after a year or two, as many others here have alluded to, it is just another aeroplane and the view outside the window is the same. Personally I really do enjoy flying into smaller, more challenging airfields or shooting a visual approach as opposed to sitting for many hours only to fly an ILS approach most of the time at the end.
At the end of the day for pilots, it is almost always just about money and roster (which translates into lifestyle). You’ll have to find the right balance that suits you and your family.
W.r.t seeing the world, why not do it whilst you’re on annual leave with your family on your own terms?
Money is only part of the equation. Moreover you’d get a reasonable pay raise after you get your Command which should come a lot quicker than flying LH, and there is no doubt that it is easier and more enjoyable to work on the LHS compared to the RHS. A lot more sectors on SH, but doing them as a Captain is hardly a chore.
You’d still flying a modern Boeing/Airbus. I have close friends who are on the widebodies after doing SH, and they all agree after a year or two, as many others here have alluded to, it is just another aeroplane and the view outside the window is the same. Personally I really do enjoy flying into smaller, more challenging airfields or shooting a visual approach as opposed to sitting for many hours only to fly an ILS approach most of the time at the end.
At the end of the day for pilots, it is almost always just about money and roster (which translates into lifestyle). You’ll have to find the right balance that suits you and your family.
W.r.t seeing the world, why not do it whilst you’re on annual leave with your family on your own terms?
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 36
Likes: 12
From: HMP Slade
I flew the 757/767 with a short haul and long haul mix. Did the same with the 320 and 330. Got to fly into Skiathos and all the nice islands in The Caribbean. Usual holiday spots, Vegas, MCO, Maldives and India. Use to fly to Oz back in the day, which was a great trip. I loved the mix of both, but I guess it's quite unusual now. Enjoy it, suddenly you find yourself in the twilight years of your career before you know it!
