The bottom line is you spend as much time with your family as you choose to. Sure being a pilot takes you away from home for a certain number of nights per month. But, when you are done flying, you are done working.
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“You definitely have to work together as a family.” In spite of their challenges, the panelists agreed that they love being both a pilot and a mother, and they demonstrated with their own lives that there are many ways to be both simultaneously.
The amount of free time depends on their actual schedule at a precise moment in time, their experience and seniority. According to labor statistics, newer commercial pilots usually get at least 12 days off each month, while the average airline pilot gets around 15 days off.
Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.
We average 11-14 days off per month and most pilots will fly several weekends and most holidays unless you are senior. This usually means four 4-day trips (for me) with 2-4 days off between trips. Some senior pilots can get weekends off and choose to only fly 60-70 hours with 16-17 days off.
In terms of actual days, some publications say most short-haul pilots will either travel home every day if possible or work for five days and then spend three or four days at home. Long-haul pilots are said to spend more time away from home, although they do get 10 to 15 days off per month to see their families.
Do pilots pay for their own hotels? The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute.
However, a night or two in a hotel is likely to be in order after a longer journey. In terms of actual days, some publications say most short-haul pilots will either travel home every day if possible or work for five days and then spend three or four days at home.
Yes, commercial pilots tend to receive health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, pilots receive paid time off and already have one of the most flexible work schedule of any industry. These benefits, in addition to pilot salaries, help to make flying a rewarding career.
In the United States about 1 in 10 pilots are women. I am pretty confident a high percentage of them have families. I have a dear friend who is a pilot for a major airline. She raised two kids who have since graduated college while being an airline pilot the whole time.
In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.
Rutherford registered 68 takeoffs and landings and the highest altitude he reached was 12,500 feet over Mexico. Born into a family of aviators, Rutherford qualified for his pilot's license in 2020, which at the time, made him the youngest pilot in the world at the age of 15.
Can I take my wife with me as a pilot? Yes, the airlines know they have married couples in their cockpits and they're okay with it. I'm sure there are a handful flying together at each of the majors.
Flight benefits vary by airline. You may end up with unlimited free flights for you and your kids or a discounted rate. You may also be eligible for a discounted rate with other airlines that your spouse's airline has reciprocity agreements with.
Private pilots are allowed to carry passengers, just not for hire. Interestingly enough, private pilots can split the costs of a flight with friends and family. That means if you have a group who wants to fly with you, they can help you pay for it all.
However, airline pilots will work fewer days than a 'normal job', with most pilots having at least ten days off a month. This may be a slightly surprising amount of time off, especially as the job as a pilot is seen as many by well-paid.
You are always watching, monitoring, and managing the flight's progress, as well as keeping an eye on the airplane's various systems, but yes, it can get boring up there. What exactly are pilots doing up there at 36,000 feet, when the boredom sets in, and they think nobody is paying attention? We decided to find out.