I’ve a few questions from pilots.
are you working for a passenger airline? if yes, why did you prefer it over some other company such as FedEx. (i believe Fedex prefers ex-army men)
How does the scheduling system works. How many days, do you have to be at work?
How about vacation time etc. etc.
How does the organizational chart works. How does a pilot start in an airline company. How long does it take to move ahead.
Do you like it? if yes, why.
If not, why not.
Thanks.
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
i'm not a pilot, but my uncle was a pilot for Air Canada. He was a senior pilot, so he mostly works domestic flights 3 days a week. But i remeber when he first started her use to get pretty crappy flight hours, and was mostly away from home. He has retired now, but has said that he always enjoyed it.
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
Cool Breeze, I'm not a pilot but have huge passion for flying, combat or commercial, didnt get into the arena for a career but hope to get opportunity for recreational flying some day.
So I can offer slight input on your questions, owing to my interest and some close people being in the field.
The job market aswell as job nature, benefits, attractions and privileges are much better in passenger carriers as compared to cargo, all over the world. Carriers' preference or pilot qualification requirements depend from aircraft to aircraft usually. Military or non-military background doesnt matter much if the license and flying hours on a particular system are competitive.
The schedules again depend on what particular area you are in and how big or small your employer airline is. Usually the schedules aren't bad and pilots aren't overburdened. But that said, there is no guarantee for day only work hours or night only work hours. You fly out a particular no. of times a week at any time the particular flight is scheduled for to any particular destination you can be routed to according to your scope. Vacation time is usually reasonable and pilots have a good time taking vacations often owing to less costs involved for those in aviation industry.
This is the most indefinite one; always varies airline to airline, country to country. Some airlines hire cadets and train them and employ them on smaller aircrafts as trainees and then 1st officers and then captains, there on they keep moving to more sophisticated aircrafts with experience and on taking conversion courses and keep rising till they land at the world's most sophisticated aircraft as captain and retire from there having earned loads of good money while enjoying their work.
On the other hand some carriers hire pilots with certain no of hours on a particular aircraft type, valid CAA/FAA licenses etc. Getting in is the main thing. Before that earning licenses and certifications unemployed is heavy on the wallet.
i think no pilot would say they dont like it. A pilot is always a pilot for the love of the game. So any pilot would love it I guess. But, factors such as family, health, environment, various other reasons may change a person over some years and they may not like the work for some reasons due to finding it unsuitable in their circumstances. for eg being away for days at a stretch etc.
Otherwise in most cases, pilots live fruitful, healthy, glamorous, well-paid lives and dont have much to be unhappy about I guess. The risk factor too is statistically not supposed to be a major concern.
A close pilot, an excellent one, once told me a while ago while watching a take off with me on the run way as I was mesmerized, he said "and the best part is, we get paid for it...!"
Hope this has been slightly useful. Of course if we can have input from an actual commercial flier him/herself it'd be more accurate and best.
Are you a pilot or weighing wings to becoming one?
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
^^
Thank you so much for the detailed information. Just like you, I've huge passion for flying. Now since am done with my studies, have worked little bit in my field, I guess its the time when I can think of changing my career & do something that I always wanted.
But changing career is kinda risky too so i want to make sure before I make up my mind.
I am concerned about the schedules because females have to fulfill household responsibilities too.
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
What do you think about this aircraft PA 28-181 Piper as compare to CESSNA 152?
Both of these are popular but according to my info, Piper is usually preferred by the airlines.
Thanks.
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
You're welcome CB.
The Pipers Cherokees, and 28-181 is i think called an archer, a 180hp with 4-6 seats and 1 entrance. It's a very low bodied aircraft but very popular indeed, as a passenger as well as trainer.
The Cessna 152 is even more popular but mainly just as a trainer as its a 2 seater, and couldn't function as a passenger carrier but at most a recreational flier.
I'm not exactly sure which ones airlines usually prefer for the licenses of new pilots on, but both of them are popular and not very widely different from each other as far as design, power etc is concerned.
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
I guess, thats why the airline companies don’t prefer it as much.
I’m going to the academy in a couple of weeks to get the detailed information.
Plz check your pm - am sending you the link of that academy fyi. I got some good rrecommendation so hopefully it’ll be good.
It has the rates - they charge more for Piper.
and yes, piper is called Archer.
so there is so much traffic in this website and no one is interested in flying 
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
i'm interested but right now i'm in the middle of so many things .................. secondly i don't feel good about heights.........
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
go for it cb i wud too if i had the chance, there cudnt be a better job in the world :)
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
the interest in flying has been there
first I had no money for flight lessons
then 9/11 happened and I just want to stay away from flight schools now cuz I may be mistaken for some terrorist.
Re: Commercial Pilots around???
I don't think, they require any extra security clearance from the citizens. but yea, i know what you mean.
others have to go through finger-printing and some steps.