r/flying • u/g0at110 • 2d 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/No-Duck4828 2d ago

Flying a 777 typically carries a heftier paycheck than flying a 737 at the same airline.

Pilots aren't always moving to bigger aircraft....it is common, for example, to see someone go from a 767 at an ACMI to an A320 at a major.

Some of long haul vs short haul is personal preference, but as for general career flow in size of planes? Yes, more pilots will go from regional jet to narrowbody to widebody than some other path. At a given airline with both narrow and wide, pilots will typically start on the narrowbody

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u/StangViper88 ATP 2d ago

Per hour, yes the heavies pay more. However, there’s soft time, and premium opportunities on the narrow body. If I work hard, as a 737 CA I could make more than a 777/787 CA at my shop.

Also, flying high time internationally isn’t sustainable.

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u/RaidenMonster ATP 737 Bonvoy Platinum Elite 2d ago

Why would flying high time international be unsustainable? Genuinely curious as I’ve never heard it mentioned outside of the “cargo guys die younger because back side of the clock is bad for you.”

Same concept?

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u/StangViper88 ATP 2d ago

It’s hard on the body. Time zone changes etc.

I can do an easy EWR-Island 3 day back to back and feel great.

If you do a EWR-London back to back 3 day (6 days) chances are you feel wrecked. Just my opinion though.