Being an airline pilot is probably one of the best jobs in the world, but it’s no easy task. You’ll be responsible for commanding commercial flights, flying passengers to long or short-haul destinations all whilst enjoying an office above the clouds and traveling around the globe.
Typically, there will be two pilots to every aircraft; a captain and a supporting first officer. You will take turns to fly the plane; one will operate the controls, while the other liaises with air traffic control and completes paperwork.
Let’s find out the benefits of being a pilot and what you’ve got to look forward to if you embark on a career as a commercial airline pilot.
- Who Doesn’t Love to Travel? Traveling is one of the major perks of this career. Being an airline pilot means you have opportunities to go to places you’ve never been! With free time between flights, pilots have the chance to explore new cities and spend time experiencing different cultures. No two workdays will be the same, and that may be one of the best parts.
- You Can’t Beat the View Not many people in the world can say they have an office in the clouds. Most airline pilots say it’s a view they never grow tired of. From witnessing thunderstorms form in distant clouds to looking out at a vast, never-ending blue sky, it’s easy to see why.
- Travel Discounts for Family and Friends While pilots travel often, it isn’t always fun to do alone. Being an airline pilot, it is likely that you will have access to discounted (and sometimes free) plane tickets for family and friends, which means good deals on great vacations. And in addition to airfare, a number of hotels provide discounted prices as well!
- Career Focus If you’re looking for a job with major job satisfaction, you’ve found it. Commanding a plane filled with passengers and getting them safely from A to B is as satisfying as it gets. One of the major benefits of being a pilot is you can expect a hugely rewarding career; from taking your first solo flight, completing your first landing, flying to a new destination to overcoming challenges, every day is rewarding as a pilot in the cockpit.
- Work Stays at Work No one likes taking their work home with them, and aside from studying for annual tests, pilots leave their work on the plane. There’s nothing to take home once you finish your day and close that cockpit door. This leaves for more time to explore the latest city of the week, spend time with the ones you love, or pick up a new hobby.
- Flexible Working Flexible working has always been a major advantage of being a pilot. it’s not your typical 9-5 job Monday to Friday. Most pilots work an average of 2-3 weeks a month, which means you have the rest of the month to enjoy yourself. Most pilots take advantage of this time to connect with their family, take vacations, or just relax. Pilots can spend their days however they wish to and with a free pass around the world, their options are nearly unlimited.
- Challenge Yourself Being a pilot means constantly learning. While it’s important to know the specifics and regulations, learning goes beyond the books in this job. Real-time learning happens behind the controls of a plane, but luckily pilots can learn from everyone around them. Anything can happen once the plane leaves the ground, and pilots challenge themselves by going into a workday and not knowing exactly how it will go, but making it work anyway.
- Meet New People As a pilot, you will constantly have the opportunity to meet new people. From your flight crew to passengers, to residents of the cities you visit, you’ll be introduced to people and cultures you may not have otherwise had the opportunity to become acquainted with.
- Salary and Health Benefits Aviation is a career that allows for substantial growth opportunities. Nearly all airlines offer standard annual raises, along with health benefits. In fact, airline and commercial pilots can expect to work their way up to a six-figure median annual income.
- Do What You Love Most importantly, becoming a pilot allows you to do what you love. Pilots have a passion for flying high in the sky, and nothing is more rewarding than taking people along for the ride. Reaching your dreams is not an impossible task, and pilots can attest to that. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
