He says airline pilots fly an average of 15 or 16 days a month. The schedule of those days varies by airline, but it often looks like making a three- or four-day trip followed by three or four days off.
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Work Schedules
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.
A pilot's workweek can be varied. It all depends on how a pilot's rest period or days off fall. For example, a pilot might work five or six days one week, followed by only working one or two days the next week.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) limit pilots to 36 flight hours in a week, 100 hours in 672 hours (28 days), and 1,000 hours in a 365-day calendar period.
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.
What if an airline does not have enough flying for a pilot? Fortunately, most pilot employment contracts and CBAs include a monthly hour minimum. This minimum requires the company to pay its pilots for a minimum number of flight hours, regardless of whether those hours are flown.
Nearly all airlines have trips that do not get you back to your home every day. Pilots “lay over” in other cities and are provided per diem and a hotel for the time they are there. It is a great opportunity to see a place you may never have been, enjoy time with your crew, and rest for the next day of flying.
The average pilot spends 225 hours per month between flight time and ground duties, however, they are afforded anywhere from 12 to 20 days off per month depending on seniority. The higher you climb in the ranks the more control you have of your schedule, flight routes, home base, salary, and days off per month.
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.
This is to keep their life as 'normal' as possible and to help fit into the social conduct of the modern world of Monday-Friday working. However, every pilot within an airline can't be able to have every weekend off work, which means as a pilot, it's common to work over the weekend when flights are notoriously busy.
The Pros and Cons of Being a PilotHowever, there are also a few drawbacks. Pilots are subject to a high degree of risk, as they are responsible for the safety of their passengers. Additionally, the job requires long hours and a great deal of responsibility, as well as specialized training and licensure.
A duty day – which includes pre- and post-flight activities, in addition to actual flying time – can extend past 14 hours, especially in the case of weather disruptions. Our pilots also must ensure they are up-to-date on revisions to equipment manuals and operating procedures, which they receive through bulletins.
The average pilot spends 225 hours per month between flight time and ground duties, however, they are afforded anywhere from 12 to 20 days off per month depending on seniority.
There is a maximum of 6 consecutive days on per block and the maximum amount of flying hours per month is 100. You can expect to fly close to 850 – 900 hours in 12 months.
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.
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.
Airline pilots can be home every night or could be away from their families for weeks at a time. It depends of the company they work for or the aircraft or routes they fly. Most quality of life issues that affect how much time a pilot can spent with his family is determined by a seniority based system.
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.
According to The May 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $99,640 per year. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $202,180.