|
Keeping your family together and holding onto your health. |
Originally Posted by AluminBird
(Post 10431599)
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 To an airline, most airlines, you are an expensive necessity. From that point, there will be some employers who will abuse you and some who will make some effort not to, but you are still just a number. The trick is to work for one of the least bad ones and disappear off the radar. As an example, I have entered our head office twice in 20 years, happy days. Learn what informal systems are in place to make life easier, know what is a legal roster and what isn't, consider joining a union. Being a distance employee means that it is up to you to keep up with changes which affect you inside the airline. As regards the Left/Right command gradient, 95% of the time, unless you act like an arrogant a@@se, the majority of Captains will/should let you run the sector as you want, so long as it is within SOP. Hang your hat on the SOP operate within it and your capabilities and Captains will soon learn to trust your judgement. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance rather than ploughing on until the Captain has to intervene. Always remember that the Capt. signs for the aircraft and carries all the responsibility if there is an incident, even if you are the cause. It can be a stressful seat to sit it, especially in the current era of low experience FO's going directly onto large jets. You will inevitably meet the odd difficult colleague, the SOP is there for this situation, you can do an entire flight only making standard calls and a formal briefing. Not pleasant, but safe, and tomorrow is another day! |
Originally Posted by TowerDog
(Post 10431730)
There is a program in the USA whereas pilots carry loaded guns to defend the cockpit, after a bit of training, etc. |
Getting up for work very early in the morning. I just hated it.
Having to put up with some jerks in the left seat, but you learn to manage. I was single so I had no problem with lifestyle and family issues. It makes it a lot easier if you're single. I avoided long haul, can't stand it. |
Circumstances conspire against you and life is full of traps. If it wasn't for very helpful parents to mind my child when I am away for 3 to 5 days I would have to give up flying. My ex having her struggles to cope with life. My point being, have your better half support you on this journey of yours. If not, be ready to give it up. Or your dream will turn into a nightmare. Sounds dramatic? Possibly. But I am sure many can say "been there, done that". Depending on who you end up flying for, you could be spending up to 2/3rds of your life in hotels. Or in a crash pad. Away from home, regardless. Long haul a tad better, but you'll be jetlagged instead.
The flying, the crew, the irregularities is grand. Not much to say there. It's tough on families. It's a young man's game. |
Originally Posted by macdo
(Post 10431538)
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! |
Originally Posted by The Range
(Post 10431881)
Was that for pax or cargo flights?
|
Originally Posted by Priority Club
(Post 10431552)
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. |
1. Pilots
2. Managers 3. Pilots that are also managers |
Originally Posted by Twiglet1
(Post 10432531)
Next time get up dead early, have a nap around two-three pm in the circadian low. Crew members responsibilities rule ok.
|
Originally Posted by Twiglet1
(Post 10432531)
Next time get up dead early, have a nap around two-three pm in the circadian low. Crew members responsibilities rule ok.
|
Originally Posted by clvf88
(Post 10432604)
Bit of a gamble if you're working for a certain Irish airline, doing a 12 hour home standby starting at 0600 ...
Forgive my ignorance! I'd really love to see what an ATP contract looks like! |
You don’t need to be in an Irish airline to do a 12 hour home standby starting at 6am. I’ve just finished 2 in a row. I didn’t get up at 6am though. As AluminBird alluded to, I just put my phone on loud near my pillow and had a normal lie in! |
Originally Posted by AluminBird
(Post 10432687)
On standby in the airlines, are you not able to simply sleep through until whatever time you like and choose to be woken by the standby call?
Forgive my ignorance! But consider you would have gone to bed early the night before to accomodate a 0600 call-out, so sleeping in will be tough. And if you do sleep in to accomodate the possibility of a 1759 call-out, consider that you may be on standby again at 0600 the following morning and now unable to get the early night you require. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that its all well and good saying 'crew responsibilities' - but to be rested enough for a standby callout at the beginning and end of a 12 hour standby, especialliy with multiple days of it in a row, is (in my experience) impossible. |
The number one rule if you have a family is that your spouse has to be 100% behind you. No doubts that they will be able to cope. Because at the end of the day they will be the ones keeping the household together. Picking up the kids from school, doing the parents evenings, Mopping up the tears and the tantrums while you are at work. Your hours are long and irregular and there is virtually no set pattern. You live your roster month to month. And even if you do split up, which is a possibility, they will still be dependant on your roster until your children are 18. The he job is great, but it’s just a job. Make sure you have a life outside of work. Its also has its family life benefits. I’m the only dad that regularly can drop my kids off and pick them up from the school gates exactly because I have that irregular shift pattern. Not always, but very often. The job is like any other. Some days are good some are bad and some are downright awful. Most of the people you work with are great, because you all understand the job. Some are absolute idiots, but they are thankfully reducing. Get your our life out of work sorted and keep nurturing it. |
Do difficulties regarding family life not relax a little bit outside the busy summer schedules? There are also part time options as per the other thread.
|
medicals and the simulator. The older you get (been flying since 23 and now 43) the harder it seems! I've had two small blips in the medical since turning 40...and although I haven't had an issue with a simulator before, the older I get the more pressure I put on myself to perform well! will enjoy retirement in just over 10 yrs when I wont have to worry about either!
|
The social side of things can really take a knock from the job. However, in reality, I don’t know if I could do anything else now? I’ve done the daily grind, and even with weekends off, I still hate the thought of going back to a desk and doing something that I would only do for money. Dealing with people with ego. The industry seemed to be a magnet for people with very high opinions of themselves, however it’s getting a little less so; possibly? There’s nothing worse than having to listen to some prat self gratify themselves all the way to the Canaries and back. It makes a long day waaaaaayyy longer. The lowest form of conversation & personality on the flight deck imho |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 03:38. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.