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.
