Life as a commercial pilot
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Hi, I am new to this thread. Hope I can gain some insight into being a commercial airline pilot.
I have a keen interest in flying since young. After graduating from U a few years back, I have been thinking of enrol into SIA as a commercial pilot. But am totally unaware of the lifestyle of a commercial pilot. Do they have to socialise and drink a lot? Is the lifestyle very 'complicated' (pardon me to say this) between pilot & the steward/stewardess?
Sorry if I sound too straightforth but am not really good at socialising and my gf is not very supportive of me being a SIA pilot.
Hope some of you could give a fair advice. Thanks
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They do not need to socialise a lot.
I had the idea that they are social creatures, tall, dark and handsome. But then a pilot moved into the apartment adjacent to mine. I realised he is just a plain guy.
As for the stewardess part, not really again. After sometime you will get sick of it and just stay in the hotel and watch TV. At least thats what he told me.
And if you graduated a few years ago, how old are you now ? Are you Malaysian ? -
Hi, thanks for your reply. I am a Singaporean. U are a pilot or...an aspiring one?Originally posted by vyniker:They do not need to socialise a lot.
I had the idea that they are social creatures, tall, dark and handsome. But then a pilot moved into the apartment adjacent to mine. I realised he is just a plain guy.
As for the stewardess part, not really again. After sometime you will get sick of it and just stay in the hotel and watch TV. At least thats what he told me.
And if you graduated a few years ago, how old are you now ? Are you Malaysian ? -
Just a starry eyed fresh grad starting training with SIA next month
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coool...Originally posted by vyniker:Just a starry eyed fresh grad starting training with SIA next month
one day, i wish to be like that too -
vyniker, I see. So u r going to SIA for training soon. Good luck to u. Btw, r u a fresh uni grad from S'pore too?
Ermm...know that there are a few commercial pilots in this thread. Appreciate if you could provide more insights into the lifestyle of a commercial pilot. Its a bond of many years, hence I have to do some research before deciding whether to be one
. Thks. -
hiz...
good to know that you're interested in joining SIA... its a worth while job. bond is some 6years and training is at seletar airport.
anyway RSAF's bond is 12 years for ya info which is the route that i'm currently about to take since i'm too young to go to SIA. ^_^ -
Let me speak to the lifestyle of a pilot in the US.
First, you live and die by seniority. Seniority is everything. What base you get, what seat and in which aircraft will be determined by seniority. The schedule you fly each month is bid on by seniority. If there is a layoff, it's nice to have seniority over some poor souls below you.
Typically trips are 4 days long and can consist of between 8 and 12 legs. Our duty time is usually up to 12 hours, though it can go up to 14 by union contract and 16 by regulations. The schedule can be punishing. Van will leave the hotel sometimes as early as 0530 and you won't get to the hotel that night till 2000. Rest during the over night averages 9-12 hours. During the day, we could be flying several legs with little time to pee or eat. So we get to the hotel hungry and tired. But occasionally we get nice long layovers that make it all worthwhile. Like next week, I'll be spending a whole day on a beach in Mexico, while the rest of the country freezes their butts off in the snow.
But, having said all that, I can't imagine myself doing anything else. It is such an easy job. Sometimes I don't even feel like I'm flying. Flying a glass equipped airplane is really a data entry job. Babysit the computer and make sure it doesn't do anything stupid. As a First Officer it's a little more stressful because how much you enjoy the trip wil depend a lot on how the Captain is. Many are really laid back and make the trip really fun. Others are a pain in the ass to work with and you just sit there, staring out into space, praying for the trip to end.
Really, pilots here live for the lifestyle outside of work. In a month I get between 15 and 16 days off. I have to go home to my son, but many single pilots and flight attendants I know travel everywhere on their days off. Benefits are excellent. We get unlimited free travel for spouse or designated companion, children and parents.
Another aspect of pilot life here is commuting. It allows us to live where we want and still work where we want. For example, I am based in Texas and live in California. When I need to get to work, I hop on the plane and when I'm done I fly home. It is an additional source of stress because we fly standby, so there is the possibility of not making it to work, or having to spend your last day off hoping one seat is open for you to get to work.
Overall, it' can be a tough life, but it is definately worth it. Sometimes I don't appear enthusiastic about the job, but I am living the dream. -
Xfr8dog, thanks for your info.
What abt any comments/opinions from SIA pilots? -
sorri..not allowed to.Originally posted by victor12:Xfr8dog, thanks for your info.
What abt any comments/opinions from SIA pilots?
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How about a female pilot? What is the criteria to be trained as one?
But must i enter RSAF to train as pilot? Thinking of entering Singapore Youth Flying club to learn basic flying.... please give me some advices.. thank -
megatron
Are u a SIA pilot? Any reason why cannot comment abt SIA pilot working routines/lifestyle?
Went to the SIA website to read abt the criteria. Tot SIA's benefits pretty good. -
i was wondering...where does one 'study' to be a pilot?....at the flight academy?...forgot where actually...but ard changi if i remember correctly....
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What website ar? can share with me? and i wanat to know how's the pay? i am quite interested in takin this also..
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Can refer to this website:
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/app/saa?hidHeaderAction=onHeaderMenuClick&hidTopicArea=TechnicalCrewAppointments¤tSite=global
It mention something abt pay too.