FIVE DAYS AS AN AIRLINE PILOT behind the scenes

Join me for five days in the life of an airline pilot! We'll meet some cool people, go on an adventure, and I'll break down the actual cost of living in Minneapolis, MN and being based in Newark, NJ.

Music by @epidemicsound

Go check out my new friends Scott and Collette @Roamaroo

My Gear

Main Camera: Sony ZV-1
Mic: Rode VideoMicro
Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro
Light: Aperture MC

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:24 Commuting
02:04 United Club
02:22 Preparing for work
02:55 EWR-LAX
03:40 Celebrity encounters
05:12 Waking up in SoCal
06:30 New Friends
07:54 LAX-IAH-LAX
08:50 Cost of Commuting
13:18 BJJ
14:22 Adventure Day
17:33 Go Home Day ASMR
19:26 Final Thoughts
20:00 Bloopers
21:30 Thanks for watching!

[heatherprator]

Oh my goodness, I flew with you a few months ago. I was your purser. I had no idea you have a channel. You are such a nice captain. These days, you never know what you are gonna get. You were so professional and kind. Thank you. I love seeing such a family man, kind and efficient with briefing. I’m definitely going to subscribe. My man loves when I fly with a captain I feel safe flying with. Thank you

[RetroracerDB]

The Buzz Aldrin story reminds me of when I was working a commercial booth at Oshkosh. It was slow on the last day of the show. A distinguished looking gentleman stopped by, curious about our satellite communications product. For about twenty minutes we had a very nice conversation about the satellite business. I never let on that I knew who he was. He never let on that he knew I knew who he was. No selfies, no autographs, just a very nice conversation with the last man to walk on the moon.

[gabrielle-AV-n-PFloyd]

My father was a United Airlines Captain, James M. Hykes 1960-1994. He loved his 34 year career with United..I watch these in honor of him and it helps me with my grief of his passing. Thank you!💙🛫

[jacklynosullivan]

Never stop doing these kinds of videos!!! My goal is to make it to the airlines and these videos inspire me everyday to work towards my goals, thank you Paul!

[IvesSteve]

I've been a United 1K for 20 years and have never seen such an honest insight into the airline and the life of the airline's so important employees. LOVE your videos; keep it up.

[sparrowcar]

United are very lucky to have someone like you. Your positivity and professionalism are infectious.

[anthonymorales]

I am from Newark, I watched all your great content and then it hit me when I heard your cockpit radio voice! Your content, flight experience and service has been greatly appreciated by all of us! Anyone from Newark knows this voice your getting home! I remember flying him a few times and back then he fought some rough ass turbulence with skill and made us all feel safe. You make great content captain!

[jonberg]

Loved the Buzz Aldrin story. In December 2005 there was a dedication ceremony at Santa Monica Airport of the Douglas DC-3 mounted on a pole. Major aviation figures were to be there including Bob Hoover and Buzz. I figured it would be one of my best opportunities of all time, to meet Buzz. Brought along an authentically signed photo of Neil Armstrong I had purchased at Long Beach flea. Finally got the courage to walk up to seated Buzz and introduce myself. Clumsily. Showed him photo of Armstrong and asked "Do you know this guy"? He laughed. Then I mumbled unsteadily, "Buzz would you mind signing this TO ME, on the backing? It's not for sale, ever, will be a family heirloom" I nervously gushed. He was very gracious and signed with the date and place AND, most interestingly, wrote "103rd anniversary of Kitty Hawk". He didn't have to do that. And charmingly, it was actually the 102nd anniversary!! Deceased astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom's nephew was there and he filmed my meeting with Buzz. Wow, what a day. I learned to fly in Miami in 1978 a 23, got my private ticket in a 152 and after 94 hours total in the log book hung it all up as it got to be an expensive pastime. In 1980 the pilot demand/hiring situation was not anything like it is now or perhaps I would have gone the airline pilot route. The times were different. Envious of you Paul, except for the constant very early mornings that pilots and flight attendants both seem to accept as a major part of their lives. As others on here have mentioned, your constant positive attitude, admirable general curiosity about the physical world, and genuine friendliness towards all, despite the difficulties of the job, are amazing to watch. I much enjoy your videos.

[squawkdude]

Great job giving that man the opportunity to converse with you despite how tired you were. Most of the greatest humble personalities have no ego so they tend to appear as “normal” people. Buzz Aldrin is a great example of a person who has achieved greatness, but will always consider himself a student.

[petshopgirl]

You are very fortunate to have what is probably one of the best (and most responsible) jobs in the world! Great video as always!

[Pappas]

I rarely comment on videos, but this video style is amazing! I imagine it takes endless hours planning, filming and editing for this type of professional video. Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed your well-earned vacation. Cheers!

[jeffdavenport]

That quote you said at the end “Everything comes at a cost”. That really hit me. I’m a few weeks away from my private pilot checkride with the end goal of stepping foot into a United Airlines cockpit one day. Your videos are always so inspirational and is helping me move forward in my flight training to one day, hopefully, fly side by side with you. Everything comes at a cost and even though flight training is really expensive and a huge financial burden, I know it will be worth it when we both fly together. Thank you so much for being one of the reasons for achieving my dreams and I hope to meet you in person soon. I’m a ramp agent on the United ramp in Fort Myers Florida and I love to travel. I’m always flying through Newark and it’s like my second home. I hope to meet you in person in the near future. Thank you so much for everything you do and inspiring us by just being you.

[julie]

Canadian pilots wife here.Watching this reminds me so much when hubby had long commutes and hotel expenses. So glad he retired recently. As you said, Living where you want to, and still loving your job, being able to see so much of the world, Is Awesome! Really enjoyed your video. Cheers from B.C. Canada

[andyrodriguez]

It's nice to see someone talking about the realities of the job. Commuting is an essential part of the equation for so many pilots in order to make the job work, yet it's at the least a major pain, and very often a nightmare when weather, delays, or full flights prevent you from getting home and seeing your family. It's not something that should be taken lightly, but certainly a perk of the job....because who would ever want to live in Newark, NJ!

[alexriems]

Currently at 800 out of my 1500 and these videos keep me extremely excited for the future and helps me push through the grind of time building. Really appreciate it!! ✈✈

[Mousirelen]

You are next to an impossible man, they do not make your kind anymore. You got up early Iron your clothes, with all your accomplishments and all the responsibilities you signed up for. You squeezed in some meaningful and touching personal moments into the life of a commercial airline Capitan. You are indeed an inspiration not just to pilots, to humans. What a class act of a man. Nothing but the best of wishes to you sir and you deserve every one of those 18days off.

[djurispijker]

No showboating or any other nonrealistic stuff that unfortunately is associated these days with Aviation. One of the good things about your content is that you tell the truth i.e pro's and cons of commuting. I hope to see you on the line sometime. Much respect from a MD-11 driver! Be good dude🤙🏽

[tommylim]

I love this guys “day in the life” vids so much! I wish he had more videos up because I can watch them all day ❤

[cabrams]

Your videos are getting better and better. I love the combo of actually showing the layovers, as well as insights into airline schedules and lifestyle, in the cockpit, and even the passenger briefing. I'm hoping to go to the airlines soon after the military, and I love these videos.

[cathygowan]

I am so impressed with how professional yet personal your videos are. Keep them coming!