How often are pilots away from family?


How often are pilots away from family? 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 airline pilots have a lot of free time?

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.


Do pilots fly free if they are family members?

This benefit varies from airline to airline. 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.


Do pilots make it home every night?

Do pilots get to go home every night? For the most part… no. Based upon seniority and base equipment it is occasionally possible to spend your evenings at home but that is the rare exception and not the norm.


Do pilots or lawyers make more?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots is around $202,180. Medical doctors came in with a salary of $208,000, lawyers $127,990 and engineers with a median annual wage of $79,840.


Do pilots have a social life?

Pilots generally only work with one other pilot at a time, so they tend to hang out together on the over nights. While we do not fly with the same pilots frequently, many do make friends in the industry.


Are pilots away from their family a lot?

Flight instructors and pilots who fly short-haul domestic flights are able to be home every night more or less; however, airline pilots who fly longer routes are unable to go home every night and can be away from home for up to two weeks at a time.


Is it worth dating a pilot?

Dating a pilot can mean interesting conversations Pilots travel to many destinations, and so they're always bringing you things from exotic places. But, they also get an opportunity to engage with many cultures and meet diverse people. With such an exciting life, they have unique experiences to share.


Do pilots age quickly?

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.


What are disadvantages of being a pilot?

  • Long and sometimes unpredictable hours. Pilots work different numbers of hours depending on several factors. ...
  • Training. You need a lot of training to be a pilot. ...
  • Flight school and training can be expensive. ...
  • Stress of the job.


What age do most airline pilots retire?

The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which reauthorizes funding for the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years, includes an amendment that would raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 65 to 67.


At what age should a pilot stop flying?

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.


What does a typical pilot schedule look like?

Typical Commercial Pilot Schedule - Fixed Pattern Rosters
This could be five days at work, followed by four days off and repeated. Or it could be six days on, five days off, five days on, and four days off etc.


Do pilots enjoy their life?

On average, pilots rate the meaningfulness of their work a 3.6/5. Unlike many careers, pilots have little difficulty finding meaning in their work, and it likely constitutes one of the main reasons people become pilots.


What is the divorce rate for pilots?

Additionally, we'll discuss factors such as age, work stress levels, deployment frequency and more that may influence marital satisfaction amongst pilots worldwide. Pilots have a divorce rate of 30.5%, according to a study conducted on various professions.