It's All In A Day's Work

While flying is fun, bear in mind that there are huge sacrifices a pilot have made. It's not all rosy. From the training days till when they're at the helm of a modern passenger jet once fully qualified. There are massive amount of assessments, exams, check rides & requirements to be fulfilled biannually & annually as part of their competencies to maintain the professional qualification.

From an early start before dawn or even a late one after dusk, it's all part of the package. There aren't any set holidays unlike those who are desk bound in an office on a routine 9 to 5 job. Aviation industry runs like clockwork 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are instances when you're on roster to be on standby in case someone fails to turn up for their flight due to unforeseeable circumstances as well as in situations where one is put on minimum rest time between flights.

A typical trainee's day would be an early start at 6 conducting preflight checks, preparing the aircraft for navigation & cross country exercise of around 4 to 5 hours flight time depending on competencies & experience, preparing & filing of flight plans amongst others, conducting the flight itself & finally post flight debriefing concluding the long & otherwise an exhausting day.

For an airline pilot's day, one could start anytime of the day depending on where you're from & where you're going. A flight can range from a single sector, round trip or multiple leg depending on routes. It can range anywhere between 30 minutes to over 12 hours. Fatigue kicks in especially where multiple time zones are crossed. This is where time management & healthy lifestyle component are at times in conflicts. Nonetheless many are accustomed & trained to ensure health are their number one priority to maintain a very highly mobile & global occupation.

While it can be challenging juggling early starts, long hours, delays, cancellations & diversions; It's definitely a wonderful & worthwhile industry to be in. It's undeniably one of the best way to travel doing what you really love albeit all the sacrifices at the beginning.

Once you've caught the travel bug, you'll never want to be still again.

An example of a typical flying roster.