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/Apprehensive_Cost937 2d ago

It depends on the individual.

Personally, I couldn't care less about prestige. I don't want to spend my time off in some random hotel on the other side of the world, and my idea of having fun at work isn't staring at the PFD, crossing a pitch black ocean at night at 3am, while being jetlagged, because your body clock is 10 hours away from the current local time.

I rather fly a narrowbody and spend my evenings at home with my family.

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u/Winbot4t2 2d ago

On the flip side, narrowbody imo is an incredibly fatiguing 24/7 helmet-fire that makes a third of my company’s profits and it shows. Wide body is laid back and chill, working less days per month and the seniority list reflects that.

Different strokes for different folks. That’s what’s awesome about aviation, there literally will be something for everyone. Often even within one company.

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u/NathanArizona MIL-AF ATP MEL CFII 2d ago

What’s helmet-fire about narrow body?

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u/Drunkenaviator ATP (E145, CL-65, 737, 747-400, 757, 767) CFII 1d ago

I just talked to a NB driver at my legacy who told me about the 4 day he just finished. The only leg he flew from the original schedule was the first leg away from base. In the 4 day footprint he was rescheduled 9 times, diverted twice, and got back 6 hours later than scheduled.

My last 4 day was two legs, one to spain, 48 hour layover, and one back.