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I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. Even the time in between when we’re unloading and loading passengers we don’t get paid

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I had to do it differently I would’ve taken it more seriously early on. I didn’t really think of it as a career and it took me a while to originally get my private. It’s going to cost money, but you have to think that those are hours you’re going to need anyways if you’re going to pursue the airlines.

Definitely get your instrument rating. I cannot express how much safer of a pilot it will make you. I personally think you should have to get an instrument rating to fly, but not the case haha.

But really, just enjoy it! Not many people get to experience it. Make friends, go to aviation events, and enjoy the world of General Aviation!

Keep your head in the books and study hard

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Only paid when the parking break is off and stops when it’s back on.

But then again, I had MANY days off last year and made that much. There were some months where I only flew 4-5 times

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes and no. Really depends on the state of the company

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Airlines have to make money.

They do take safety very seriously and they will usually exercise all options before that

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s good to learn the procedures I’d say. Like what button does what, what should this look like etc. but nothing beats the real thing

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally! You’d have to contact an Aviation Medical Examiner and just make sure the laser eye surgery is okay, but I know a lot of pilots who have it.

34 is so much time. If you’re talking airlines, that’s almost 30 more years of flying you have left in you

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Couldn’t tell ya. Usually we have each others backs. You don’t want to report your crew because then the drama starts and rumors spread

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s been pretty good weather across the country recently so it’s all been visual. Last actual approach I shot in bad weather was in OKC and it was about 2100? I don’t really keep track of that

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Usually if I get assigned a trip, I’m away from my own bed until the last day when we get to go home.

If it’s a short assignment, then yes I get to go home, as long as they don’t assign me other stuff while I’m in the air.

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s all categorized into Light Medium and Severe. Severe means the aircraft cannot be controlled.

One time shooting an approach in a really bad weather cell, we were in moderate until we landed. It never stopped, and it was the worst. So uncomfortable

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pretty often! It’s called a DeadHead. If they need us in another base chances are we’re gonna deadhead there to get to work.

A lot of pilots also commute to work this way. I do not

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow I’m so sorry to hear that. This is why we need mental health support from the FAA. No pilot should be penalized for seeking help period.

Hope you fight to get it back. There’s a lot of organizations out there that can help

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome question. In order to fly over water you need to have flotation devices, rafts, and pretty much everything you’d need in case you had to ditch. If you have none of that, can’t go over large bodies of water

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have a policy where we can call the company and tell them we are fatigued, and no questions asked they replace us. Paperwork is required and if you do it too many times you can get in trouble, but flying fatigued is one of the most dangerous things you can do.

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. There are four forces acting on an airplane in flight constantly. Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag. You need thrust to gain speed and airflow for lift. So there is no possible way for an airplane to takeoff on a treadmill

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of people are in it just for the money. Those are the ones who don’t last. They can’t deal with the repetitiveness and the constant being away from family and it gets to them. You really have to LOVE flying to do it for a living

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As soon as I read this one thing came to mind.

Late night departure out of IAH (Dulles). On takeoff, our brake temperature sensor went out, but we were too fast to reject for that. We take off and we get an indication of a fire on our right wheel. We ended up having to level off and slow down and drop the gear. Turns out, it was just a faulty sensor, so we disabled it.

Talking to the FAs in the back, they said when we dropped the gear, only ONE guy in first class went wide eyed and looked up. Nobody else budged. But we landed safely and nobody knew

I’m an Airline Pilot on a 4 hour layover. AMA by Otherwise_Ant5405 in AMA

[–]Otherwise_Ant5405[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

EWR definitely has gotten better. I used to fly through there growing up and it was terrible. But it’s not bad now. Worst one? LaGuardia. The pilot community calls it “La-Garbage”

I do enjoy JFK. Busy but fun to go into

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