Airline Pilot: Top 10 Things I Should've Known

As a student pilot or flight instructor, there's a lot you don't learn about becoming an airline pilot until you're doing the job EVERY DAY! While I love my job, there are a few pros and cons you should be prepared for. Here are the top 10 things I wish I'd known, or had better preparation for, before becoming an airline pilot. (Cockpit scenes filmed under Part 91 with approval of Envoy Air, Inc.)

The videos I produce are the first example of an airline approved, comprehensive view of becoming an airline pilot. Each video is about a specific topic, something I wish I'd learned before I started flying as a professional pilot. What do you want to learn? Leave me a comment below!

YouTube Video Chapters
0:00 I Love My Job, But...
0:22 Commuting Is Tough
1:09 Eating Habits On The Road
1:44 Learn To Be Outgoing
2:20 Monthly Schedules Run Your Life
2:46 Know Your Contract, WELL
3:28 Staying In Shape On The Road
4:12 Flying Large vs. Small Regional Jets
4:50 Visual Approaches Aren't Easy In Jets
5:34 The Destination Isn't Important
6:05 It Can Be A Hard, Tiring Job
6:50 This Job Is All About Attitude

Thanks for watching!
-Swayne

[SwayneMartinPilot]

Pilots have a tough job... Being on the road and missing lots of time with friends and family is my least favorite part. That said, I love aviation and I love flying. What else do you want to learn about becoming an airline pilot? Leave me a comment with an idea!

[alessa]

As a senior in high school who wants to be a pilot in the future, I really appreciated this video but I barely understood what he was even saying omg. I'm going to ERAU so let's hope I learn.

[dragoclarke]

Stumbled upon this video today. Last month I retired from flying, the last 20 years on jets flying freight. You are absolutely right in everything you say, so much so this video should be mandatory before anyone spends any money training to be a commercial pilot. Being a pilot is not right for everyone but it can be, and was for me, the best job in the world. Yes there will be times when your fed up, when your down-route and missing important things back home concerning children etc. But I can honestly say I never regretted my decision to become a commercial pilot, even at the ripe old age of 39!

[kenlynch]

Having a Positive Attitude is extremely important in ANY job; and if you enjoy what you are doing you will never have a JOB. Being an introvert usually creates a JOB atmosphere for you and others., and I am sure it is even more noticeable in a cramped 'cockpit'. Your vlogs are always informative and beneficial to those seeking airline positions; and very enjoyable for others (myself) to learn from. Thanks

[parthjain]

I am thankful that you have recorded your journey from being a teen aspirant to an airline pilot...
This is very inspirational for me...
Thanks a lot Swayne❤️

[worldtravel]

I don't comment too often, but I always enjoy your uploads.

[coasterb]

Consider a video about your interactions with other people at airports. We know about ATC and cabin crew. What about interactions with company, maintenance, and other "behind the scenes" co-workers?

[Project_EG]

This sounds just like trucking lol I can relate to almost everything you said.

[carlmclelland]

Swayne... that was a well thought out, sobering reality of flying. No flying job is 100% easy, but they are 100% challenging. As you said in the video, if you can learn to adjust, it's a hell of a job. You'll never forget the challenges that make you a pilot among pilots, such as the night, forty years ago now... I was intercepting the ILS for 16Right at Reno in a Cessna 402, after hauling 1, 500 pounds of mail from Vegas in thunderstorms and wind shears off the Sierra's, working the boots nonstop throughout, when the tower radios: "Casino six-twenty-five, be advised a Falcon Fanjet landed forty-five minutes ago and reported SEVENTY-KNOT windshears on final." My IAS was anywhere from 80 to 160 knots on final... and I made the best landing of my life that night! Good luck... now just wait until you're in the Left Seat and YOU are responsible for making the decisions!

[supermozzarellabrain]

It's my dream to become a pilot, and I completely agree with all these. Keep up the great videos! 👏🏼

[PilotBlogDenys]

Great video, Martin. I love my job! With all those pros and cons it is still great! Keep it up, man!

[elik]

Once again Swayne, well done on the video. It's important to realize that it can be difficult at times, but in the end, your office is still in the sky and you get to see the world go by

[jack.p]

I'm so happy to see a video like this. Pilot content creators always shy away from talking about the negatives of the job. I want to be a pilot more than anything but I'm not naive to think it's all good all the time. A really good insight, thanks!

[humanfactorswithpaulgarth]

Really nice job on creating realistic awareness of being a professional pilot, from a variety of perspectives.

Your insight provides depth beyond typical areas of focus - flight schools, hours, cost, getting to "1500", etc.

[chrisward]

Spot on, as a newly minted first officer myself I totally agree that these are the unseen challenges associated with the career. Everything is a grind up through initial training and you’re very goal oriented and have a clear goal in sight. After you take your checkride and pass IOE and actually start the line, flying the airplane and your “pilot” duties are the easy part of the day and attention shifts toward these 10 previously unknown, ambiguous factors that now affect your life in a huge way (that no one talks about at the recruiter desk). Absolutely something to consider before selecting
your airline/aviation path. Great video!

[alexlupas]

This won’t stop be. It all sounds lovely. Can’t wait to get in school next year

[Skips]

As an employee for an aerospace company, I enjoy your videos, and get to see the end results of the products we produce in use!

[iamra_n]

Great video! As a fellow regional pilot, I can certainly confirm everything you've said. Point 8 was great, many people, especially those who aren't actually airline pilots, struggle to grasp this point. And point 10 was an excellent one, I couldn't agree more!

[jakeshifflett]

Always look forward to your videos to give me a better understanding of being an airline pilot. Thanks man!

[MrNopehaha]

Sounds like a good incentive for airlines to create a "fresh foods" program where pilots and crew are accommodated with fresh meals according to their chosen diet: keto, vegan, etc.,