Do pilots get weekends off?

We average 11-14 days off per month and most pilots will fly several weekends and most holidays unless you are senior. This usually means four 4-day trips (for me) with 2-4 days off between trips. Some senior pilots can get weekends off and choose to only fly 60-70 hours with 16-17 days off.

How many days a week do pilots get off?

Pilots operate in a 24-hour, 7 days a week, 365 days per year environment. They often set out to work as most people are heading home for the day or getting ready to sleep.

How many days off do pilots get?

However, airline pilots will work fewer days than a 'normal job', with most pilots having at least ten days off a month. This may be a slightly surprising amount of time off, especially as the job as a pilot is seen as many by well-paid.

How often are pilots home?

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 pilots have a lot of days off?

Yes, pilots have free time. Junior pilots have a minimum of 12 days off per month, whereas the average pilot gets 15 days off per month and a senior pilot can enjoy up to 20 days off per month.

Truth About a Pilot's Work Schedule | Airline Pilot Explains

Do pilots get paid when not flying?

What if an airline does not have enough flying for a pilot? Fortunately, most pilot employment contracts and CBAs include a monthly hour minimum. This minimum requires the company to pay its pilots for a minimum number of flight hours, regardless of whether those hours are flown.

Do pilots make good money?

In the May 2021 report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the range of salaries for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers from less than $100,110 a year, to the highest 10 percent earning more than $208,000.

Do pilots pay for their own hotel?

The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute. Generally, if pilots need to travel and stay away from home when they are not on a trip, they are responsible for their own accommodations.

How long does a pilot stay in a city?

Every pilot has a different schedule, and every pilot's schedule changes from month to month. The amount of time spent away from home depends on a crew member's seniority, preferences, and aircraft. The most labor-intensive schedule might place a pilot out of base for 12-15 nights in a month.

What is a normal pilot schedule?

Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include some days of work followed by some days off.

Do pilots get Christmas off?

Most employees make bonuses on Christmas, but the majority of pilots who can have an off day on Christmas take advantage of this. Those who work trips on Christmas Eve and Day will wake up in hotel rooms and, in most cases, are away from family and loved ones on Christmas.

What are the pros and cons of being a pilot?

Is it worth it to be a pilot?

Yes, being a pilot is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots over the next ten years. This is faster than the average growth for all occupations.

How many flights a day do pilots get?

Nature of flights

Indeed, pilots flying long-haul only operate one or potentially two flights each day, while those making short hops can even operate as many as four to five flights a day, and a turboprop pilot will operate even more.

Is it hard to be a pilot?

Overall, becoming a pilot is a challenging but rewarding process. Even though flight training requires a lot of hard work and dedication at times, students have access to a wide range of resources to help them accomplish their flight training.

Do pilots get a month off?

How many days do pilots usually get off a month? Commercial airline pilots typically have between 9 and 15 days off a month without including any leave, although this depends on the airline and type of operation.

What age do pilots stop working?

However, there is a limit. In the U.S., the maximum retirement age for pilots is currently 65, mirroring the international mandatory retirement age set by the International Civil Aviation Authority.

Do pilots get tired of flying?

Fatigue is particularly prevalent among pilots because of "unpredictable work hours, long duty periods, circadian disruption, and insufficient sleep". These factors can occur together to produce a combination of sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm effects, and 'time-on task' fatigue.

Do pilots get paid overtime?

Overtime pay is available at many airlines. When an airline needs to ensure a flight happens they will offer anywhere from 100% to 300% (or more) to get pilots to pick up the job. At this time in 2022, this is an incredibly common occurrence.

Do pilots get free flights anywhere?

The short answer is yes – the majority of airlines offer free flights as an employee benefit for pilots and often for their immediate family members. Before applying to an airline for a pilot position, be sure to ask about employee benefits in addition to pilot salary.

Do pilots get free food?

Meals are provided for pilots and cabin crew, but some choose to bring their own food on board. “I don't want airline ready meals to make up a large part of my diet, so I usually bring my own food.

What is the divorce rate for pilots?

Just as with flight attendants, the pilot divorce rate is high at 30.5%. Divorce is so common among pilots that there's a term for it in the industry: Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome.

What type of pilot gets paid the most?

Do pilots make more than doctors?

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.