3 answers
Ella
Student
1
Question
Updated
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How difficult is it to be an airline pilot and have a family at the same time?
I want to be a pilot but I also want to raise kids. I know most pilots have wonky schedules so how hard is it to juggle raising kids and being a pilot?
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3 answers
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
59
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
There will be challenges when you first start.
Starting as a Co-pilot (Second Officer) you could be assigned to any city where the company has a pilot base.
You will probably be a "standby" for the first couple of years. As a standby officer you be required to be at the airport within about 2 hours after you are called to take a flight.
Once you reach a seniority level:
You can bid for a different domicile if you want.
You will be able chose the schedule you want - instead of just taking the "leftovers" the other pilots don't want.
Most will work something like 3 days on and 4 days off or so.
Currently pilots can only fly about 90 to 100 hours per month.
I know some flight attendants what are basically semi-retired. They only do 1 or 2, 3 day trips a month then take the rest of the month off.
Since most large airlines fly 7 days a week 365 days a year, you will miss many holidays and special events the first few years when you start.
In closing - with small kids that need an adult around all of the time, you will need someone who can be at your house on short notice if you get called to take a flight.
Starting as a Co-pilot (Second Officer) you could be assigned to any city where the company has a pilot base.
You will probably be a "standby" for the first couple of years. As a standby officer you be required to be at the airport within about 2 hours after you are called to take a flight.
Once you reach a seniority level:
You can bid for a different domicile if you want.
You will be able chose the schedule you want - instead of just taking the "leftovers" the other pilots don't want.
Most will work something like 3 days on and 4 days off or so.
Currently pilots can only fly about 90 to 100 hours per month.
I know some flight attendants what are basically semi-retired. They only do 1 or 2, 3 day trips a month then take the rest of the month off.
Since most large airlines fly 7 days a week 365 days a year, you will miss many holidays and special events the first few years when you start.
In closing - with small kids that need an adult around all of the time, you will need someone who can be at your house on short notice if you get called to take a flight.
Robert Ginnetti
Pilot
28
Answers
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Updated
Robert’s Answer
An airline schedule will take you away from home a lot. Schedules are determined by seniority so until you have been there long enough to be near the top of your category, you will work many holidays, weekends, nights and not in any consistent pattern. There are many different possibilities but in general you can expect to be gone about half the month. As you get more senior you will have some say in whether it’s 1, 2, 3, 4, or more days at a time. It’s not a job that will allow you to be home for dinner every night.
For more detail, ask active pilots to see their monthly schedules
Robert recommends the following next steps:
Roy Vreeland
Corporate Pilot
9
Answers
New Orleans, Louisiana
Updated
Roy’s Answer
Depending on the path you choose in the Aviation industry, it can be very family friendly or very hard to have a family. Typically, as with most professions, the early years are the hardest, meaning less quality of life. But as you gain experience and or seniority, typically quality of life vastly improves. The aviation industry is similar to most fields. You pay your dues early and reap the rewards later.