Is it hard to be a pilot and a mom?

New mothers are often left to discover themselves how to smoothly transition back to work after having a child. When this new mother is also a commercial pilot, it becomes even more difficult to balance a new motherhood with the long times away from home and unsociable work schedules.



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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.

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The most important part of any career is happiness and passion for what you do which is why one of the biggest advantages of being a pilot is the major job satisfaction that comes with it.

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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.

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The wages are high. If you're looking for a high-paying job, becoming an airline pilot career is a great option. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pilots earn between $80,000 and $100,000 per year.

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They must be able to deal with bad weather, mechanical problems, and other potential hazards. Pilots also have to be able to stay calm in stressful situations. The lifestyle of a pilot can be very demanding. Pilots often have to travel for long periods of time, which can be difficult for families.

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Being a pilot can be stressful at times. It requires immense concentration, quick decision-making, and a lot of patience. A pilot is responsible for the well-being of all crew members and passengers on board, and they sometimes have to fly under unpredictable conditions.

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Female aircraft pilots and flight engineers are most likely to marry female registered nurses. Male aircraft pilots and flight engineers are most likely to marry female elementary- and middle-school teachers or male human-resource workers.

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Some 80% of student pilots voluntarily withdraw from training before gaining even a basic pilot licence, according to a study conducted for the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

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In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not consider “pregnancy under normal circumstances” as a disqualifying condition. Most major airlines have pregnant pilots electing to fly into their third trimester. In 2011, I was expecting my first child.

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Not to mention exposure to radiation, pressure changes, high levels of stress, and sitting for hours at a time. These factors can speed up the aging process for many pilots and research suggests they often die younger than the average population, particularly after retirement.

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For many, working as a pilot is an exciting career choice. You may enjoy working as a pilot if you enjoy flying and traveling, but there are also some elements of this profession that may not be suitable for everyone.

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Graduating from an aviation college can weigh down pilots with up to $300,000 in debt. Because of demand, beginning pay has increased to nearly $50,000 per year. Still, even if a potential pilot can get into an elite airline-sponsored program, such as one offered by JetBlue, the cost is $125,000.

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Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include some days of work followed by some days off.

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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.

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Every pilot has a different schedule, and every pilot's schedule changes from month to month. The amount of time spent away from home depends on a crew member's seniority, preferences, and aircraft. The most labor-intensive schedule might place a pilot out of base for 12-15 nights in a month.

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