10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Airline Pilots

Did you know...

1.  Pilots are paid hourly

Pilot pay is all based on position (Captain or First Officer), seniority with an airline, and what airplane you fly.  Pilots are paid at a specific rate based on these three variables.  Pay is by the flight hour: from parking brake release to parking brake set.  Thankfully airlines guarantee you a minimum number of hours, which feels sort of like a salary.

Isaac was fired for poor money management (ripping of bills)

2.  Pilots must retire at the age of 65

The FAA confirmed a Final Rule in 2009 that Part 121 pilots (airline pilots) must retire at the age of 65.  At that time, the age was increased from 60 years to 65 years.  In short, this is a public safety issue and not considered age discrimination due to the nature of the job.  As the Baby Boomers approach the mandatory retirement age, airlines are scrambling for more qualified pilots.

65? Time to Retire and Head to the Beach

3.    Can fly a maximum of 1,000 hours per year

Due to duty limitations and pilot rest rules, a pilot cannot exceed 1,000 flight hours in any 365-day period or 100 flight hours in 28 days.  This of course is not referring to duty periods, of which pilots are still “at work” but not necessarily flying.  This would include time spent at airports, time pre-flighting the aircraft, assessing weather conditions, etc.

Airline Pilots Can Fly a Max 1000 hours/year

4.    Required to have 1500* flight hours before becoming an airline pilot

The rule used to only require roughly 250 hours of flight time, but was changed in 2013 in the wake of a tragic accident of Colgan Air 3407.  There are some allowances for pilots with fewer hours… for example I was able to get a Restricted ATP Certificate at 1250 flight hours because I hold an Associate’s degree in aviation.  It's 1000 hours with a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation major; military pilots are allowed an even greater reduction, needing only 750 total time.

Hours logged by hand in log book

5.    Regional airline pilots fly long distances too

A common misconception about regional airline pilots is that we only travel short distances or stay within the same state.  Like flying from Minneapolis to Duluth; Phoenix to Flagstaff; Austin to Houston.  While some of these flights do exist within the regional airline services; regionals also fly farther distances...just in smaller aircraft. It's considered regional because we only operate within North America. 

SkyWest Regional Airline Route Map

6.    Flight Crews Are Required to maintain a "Sterile Cockpit"

Another reason to feel at ease in the skies!  Pilots and flight crew members are required to maintain a “sterile cockpit.” In other words, pilots aren’t chowing down on a PB&J during takeoff or chit chatting about their Fantasy Football results.  The FAA requires crew members not to engage in any activity during critical phases of flight that could distract a flight crew member from their duties.  In other words, below 10,000 feet…it’s all business.

Save those snacks for above 10,000 ft in the Airlines

7.    Pilots have Unique Work Schedules

This varies a lot based on seniority, but as a new hire, we are expecting I will be gone on trips for 4-5 days at a time and then get to be home for 3-4 days at a time.  Pilots with more seniority have such greater control over their schedule that often times can have anywhere from 12-14 days off at a time… not using any vacation time!  

Literally cannot take work home with you (it's too big)

8.    Many Pilots Commute to Work...by Plane

As a pilot, you could be based out of a city you don't live in.  This is not uncommon.  To deal with this, you commute by plane.  Pilots are allowed to "jumpseat" on any air carrier to get to where they need to go...for free.  If there's open seats, often times you can just sit in the cabin...and who knows, maybe catch a football game?

Skol Vikings

9.    The Uniform Has Meaning

When you see a Pilot in her or his uniform, look for the number of bars they have on their epaulettes. Four bars means they are a captain; three bars means they are a First Officer.

Epaulettes indicate whether a pilot is a Captain or First Officer

10.  Pilots know how to pack

Traveling so frequently, pilots become pretty good at the art of packing.  With a sturdy suitcase to hold 4-5 days worth of necessities, and a lunch/flight bag... there's not always a lot of room for extras.  I have taken the "rolling" approach to clothes and still learning about how to pack meals to keep food costs down.  After more experience, I will post on this again.

Luggage for 4-5 day trip

How many of these did you know? What other unique facts about pilots did I leave out?  Thanks for reading; make sure to subscribe to my blog!