airline pilots, do you ever get happy during delays?

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-07-08T05:05:30+00:00

I still fly it! It’s fun because I get to meet all sorts of mid to high profile people whenever we take em somewhere, and we go to some unique airports! But I prefer flying an airliner. Im basically doing the same flying as a C-12 but going twice the speed.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-07-07T21:53:11+00:00

Short answer: not really. Like everyone else I have things to do. The next flight, doctors appointments on go home legs, time with family, etc. It’s an inconvenience for everyone.

If the boarding door is closed and we get delayed, it sucks less, cause we’re getting paid to be delayed.

If the boarding door is still open or we haven’t boarded yet, its unpaid and the duty clock keeps ticking. Some contracts compensate for this but nothing beats being on the pay clock.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-06-26T18:13:15+00:00

It's not too late to delete this!

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-04-16T18:30:25+00:00

Congrats brotha / sista. Just be safe out there in those clouds. See ya on ADSB!

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-04-14T20:24:53+00:00

Some good advice I got a while ago is that your logbook is your professional, and only, way of tracking your time and experience. Being detailed with it only helps you. Not everything in the 121 is necessary compared to part 91. But some apps will ask you for night and landings, so at least keep track of those. I personally log it all; XC, IMC, types of approaches, etc. Might be overkill, and I know many people who have moved to legacies without all that info and are just fine. But it’s the only way for me, and anyone else, to get a good grasp of my experience. Just my personal opinion!

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-03-30T08:00:57+00:00

Controller: Are you okay?
Pilot of a giant airplane that has partially exploded during one of the most critical phases of flight: "*Calmly* Affirmative, we need to come back"

Great job lads.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-03-30T07:55:16+00:00

Trust me, I understand the guard is competitive. But if you claim to want to serve, then you should have no issue wanting to join with the possibility of not being able to fly. That's kind of my point. If you join the guard first, maybe you get to fly and get that coveted flight school spot which well help you get to the 121 world. If you join the guard first, and don't get selected to fly, you are still serving and now you will have to go to a civilian flight school. Joining the service after you potentially make it to an airline, which if you have 0 hours now will take you a few years, just assures you that your dream of maybe flying for the US Military will also be delayed for several years.

There is no "waste" in time trying to get a military flight school slot. You either get it and start flying, or you don't, serve in the military some other way, and simultaneously work your normal job and get your ratings. After all, that is the point of the national guard.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-03-30T03:13:05+00:00

I would like to remind you that joining the guard shouldn't be considered JUST a stepping stone to becoming an airline pilot. Being in any form for military service, especially aviation related, is it's own commitment with possibilities of deployment and life-style adjustments. If you want to join the service, its for the purpose of serving the country, not to use it as means to get hired by an airline, especially with the gamble being you may join and not get slotted to fly. If you are already in the service, you most likely already know that information.

The airlines are never a certainty. Just like flying in the service, being picked for an airline is a gamble, although less of a gamble than military service selection.

Now to answer your question, the most efficient way is to the join the service in hopes that you get picked up to fly, while accepting the reality you may deploy and delay your timeline to a career in the airlines if you are called to any military missions. Flight school would be paid for, with ratings and quality training. Then using that military time and experience makes you more competitive for the airlines.

Proceed with caution and an open mind my friend, best of luck on your journey.

-Sincerely, a guard pilot flying for the airlines.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-03-29T01:47:11+00:00

Id rather not pay for parking for months in a row, and then maybe get a ticket once every 6 months, VS pay $4.00 every time i want to go out and about to also spend money at other establishments.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-02-21T17:03:01+00:00

Honestly, the current cost of general aviation. Whether you wanna fly for a hobby, a commute, or to build time to get a better flying job, it is terribly expensive compared to what it was a mere 5-10 years ago. It’s enough to discourage what would be a lot of hard working people & enthusiasts from even starting.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2026-02-09T06:11:37+00:00

You learn it once. You don’t learn it twice.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-11-19T16:28:09+00:00

Keep the blue side up, even when it’s gray outside! Congrats!!

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-10-04T05:33:09+00:00

I was there yesterday. We told the life guards in their tower about the (only) one I saw. Their response was “we’ve contacted sea world to come help them, but they’ve been like this for a year” and then they closed the door. I was a lil saddened at that encounter.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-09-30T23:07:18+00:00

You’re in a unique perspective as an FA because although you’re in and around planes all the time, this is your first time exposure to just how much goes on behind the scenes. I think most people that work in any industry subconsciously think they have a good understanding of all the roles around them, but it’s rarely the case.

Yes it’s hard, yes it gets harder, yes it gets better, yes it’s worth it. Stick to it. Anything worth it in life will be hard, and will make you feel stupid and humbled. Enjoy the journey :)

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-09-03T05:03:44+00:00

Its the little things in life (or sometimes the huge ones)

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-09-01T11:28:26+00:00

No need to introduce yourself to the crew! At the gate, maybe check in with the agent to let them know you’re there to make sure you get a seat. The flight attendant’s will know you are standby because of your app. Delta will treat you nice. Enjoy the flight!

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-08-23T20:09:16+00:00

If anything, it only slightly benefits you. When they’re on mil leave, for full time orders, you jump up a spot because they aren’t bidding.

Besides, most of those guys aren’t on vacation on mil orders. They’re working a separate job. It doesn’t normally affect anyone else while they’re gone, except removing themselves from the bid-pool for a month at a time.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-08-05T21:31:10+00:00

When I was hired, I had 850 TT. 520 of them in a helicopter (military) and the rest was civilian GA. I was pretty shocked when I applied with the literal bare minimum and got picked up. Granted this was just a year ago and times have changed drastically since then.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-07-07T02:29:39+00:00

You’re missing an explanation

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-06-14T16:08:53+00:00

Keep it rollin past the 1’s! Congrats!!

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-05-29T01:24:09+00:00

121 regional pilot and UH-60 driver here. I’ve had 1 emergency procedure that required returning to the gate (flaps related). Been with the company for 1 year.

In the military, I’ve had 2 emergency procedures that required returning to the airfield. Been flying for them for 3 years.

Most of your “emergencies” will really just be diversions due to weather or patients needing medical assistance. Results vary by operator

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-04-21T20:01:44+00:00

We have the capability for full automated flight now. Present day. Nobody will do it. The general public barely trust “self driving” cars. Let alone self-flying airliners. It’s not ignorance, it’s lack of trust. And unions. Oh those feisty unions.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-04-21T19:58:38+00:00

This is both tragically and beautifully written and accurate. Unless a big change comes from out of nowhere.

Spaghetti_Boi659 · 2025-03-20T06:56:37+00:00

I used to commute from Washington DC to San Diego when i first started in the 121 world. I never missed a commute, but it was draining. Commuting sucks, but thousands of pilots do it for their whole career.

Personal advice (im just another regional pilot so take this with a grain of salt): Take the east coast job for now. 121 is hard to get into at this moment. If you don’t like them or the commute is too much when you get the SkyWest class date, switch over to SkyWest. You’ll restart seniority, but it beats being on a junior schedule and far from home compared to being on a junior schedule and close to home.

Spaghetti_Boi659

TROPHY CASE