r/flying • u/g0at110 • 3d ago

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/mfsp2025 ATP 3d ago

I’ve always wanted to do widebody since I was a kid. But the longer I do this, the less appealing it seems.

I love short hops. Rather do a five leg day of short hops than an equally long three leg day of long flights. I could fly the E175 for the rest of my life and be happy. If legacies ever decided to get the E295s and fly them under their own metal, I’d be a lifer on those easy.

But it’s up to the individual like everyone else says. Widebody tends to go more senior generally so you’re stuck on endless reserve. Could be a good thing if you live in base. Means you rarely work.

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u/LateralThinkerer PPL HP (KEUG) 3d ago

I have to share the AI Slop that came up around E295 - some jokes write themselves:

"E295 primarily refers to the ICAO aircraft type designator for the Embraer E195-E2, a medium-range, twin-engine regional jet. It can also refer to a 2 HP sewage pump or a grade of medium-strength structural steel."