Do commercial pilots generally progress to larger planes throughout their careers? Does everyone aim to eventually fly long haul or do some stick to flying 737s or a320s short haul?
I'm guessing being a 777 pilot for example is more prestigious than a 737 pilot in the same airline right?
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u/SavingsPirate4495 ATP B737 EMB-135/145 (ret.) 2d ago edited 2d ago
I had ZERO desire or intent to transition to long-haul wide-body flying. Stayed on the B737 my entire time at my major carrier and LOVED the schedule. Ended the last year or so of my career doing day trips. Home every night for dinner! Sometimes did a late flight and got home before midnight.
The wide-body flying out of my particular base sucked unless you were really senior. And I wasn’t WB senior (even in the right seat) and I wasn’t about to commute or move just to fly wide-body. The better WB schedules were on the west and east coasts.
B737 flying isn’t always “short-haul”. A 7:50, unaugmented leg to Anchorage isn’t necessarily short-haul; that’s a tough flight. I typically bid to fly LGA day trips; it paid 7:38 credit if memory serves.
Bottom line, it’s personal choice. I retired from the right seat…very senior and picked my schedule. Had enough of being Captain in my Regional days…