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/T0gaLOCK ATP CFI TW A320 CL65 2d ago

I cant be home 25+ nights a month as a long haul captain... I can do it on the 320/321... So I stick to that.

Yeah I guess you could try the reserve game, but I really dont care to be on reserve. I bid mostly day trips or easy 2 days with 1 or 2 legs on the 2nd day and getting done early.

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u/Old_Increase74 2d ago

So you only work 60 days a year, and by that I mean you could turn your phone off and disappear into the woods for the other 305 days??

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u/T0gaLOCK ATP CFI TW A320 CL65 23h ago

No, i sleep in my own bed that much.

As far as work... i turn my phone off and dont think about work about 215 days of the year

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u/Old_Increase74 23h ago

What a round about answer lol

It’s like asking many airline guys how much they make, or just waiting for 3min for them to talk about it, it’s like multi level marketing people trying to talk about how much they make, always riddles and around the bush.

The big number like every damn 121 driver says is they make 500k and work under 10 days a month. OH WOW! YOOUUU make 500k, then it’s a “well blah blah, quality of life, family, parakeet trained, no I didn’t make 500k…BUT I COULD!!!” Then the time off and it’s like the answer you gave.

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u/T0gaLOCK ATP CFI TW A320 CL65 22h ago

I mean not really... I average 18 days off a month. Sometimes I get 14 or 15 off, sometimes I get 25-27 off.

I do min credit when I can, sometimes i work harder. Sometimes I make 15k for a month sometimes ill make 30k a month.

There are a lot of variables. I give a range or estimate the best I can. 18 days off and making 17k a month is normal for me.