How lonely is it to be a pilot?
Posted by Presid0nt@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 108 comments
From a private pilot to a commercial airline, how lonely is it really?
I'm a senior in HS about to go to college for flight training but I don't think I can handle emotionally the time away from friends. Especially if I ever get hired in the airlines, how do people deal with it? I have a dog that I'm very attached to, could you guys give any advice or just the real truth?
Individual_Dirt_3365@reddit
I'm an A320 TRE and my wife asks for divorce twice a year.
SRM_Thornfoot@reddit
Usually this happens after a long stretch of days off. You need to get back to work to make that 'heart grow fonder' stuff work for you.
CoomassieBlue@reddit
“How can I miss you if you won’t go away?”
strivegaming22@reddit
I’m saying this as a college student myself. DO NOT let friends, family, or partners get in the way of ur career. I understand it’s scary and difficult being away from them and what it does to ur relationships with them and what it does to u but u cannot let that stop u.
You have to realize that this is a new stage of life where u have to grow. Ofc not everyone has to leave home to do that but if u have a school picked out that is hundreds of miles away do not let distance from other people be the reason u don’t go. It will make moving away permanently that much harder.
Ik the scared feeling I go to college 1200 miles away from friends and family and I was also cheated on while I was out here so trust me I understand the struggle
Anne__Frank@reddit
Saying this as someone who was once a college student who thought he knew everything, this
Is a bad take. Friends family and partners are more important than your career, almost no one goes to their grave wishing they'd worked more.
That's not to say you need to sacrifice your career for your people, you can have both, it's about balance.
OracleofFl@reddit
I think u/strivegaming22 is implying is that your college relationships will change dramatically over time. We old dogs have all been to weddings, for example of your college crowd where we felt so close to the friends there and ten years later all those people are out of our lives. It is comical to see history repeating in my nieces and nephew of that age.
10and250@reddit
Long-haul, widebody cargo and the schedule that goes with it is the biggest roller coaster of emotions that I wasn’t prepared for.
Flying to new places on the other side of the world as a crew of four freight dawg homies is such a trip.. and then inevitably it hits you; your wife and young children are 6000 miles away, getting ready for bed, and you just landed in Hong Kong, jet lagged and fatigued, as the sun is rising above the horizon. And there is nowhere on Earth you’d rather be than back home, tucking them in, and what’s more, you may not see them again for weeks.
Flying is a second career for me, and I’ve been a CFI, flown pt 91 for HNWI, pt 135 light jet charter, pt 121 ULCC, and now fly cargo. The freight dawg game is something different. The highs can be incredibly high, but the lows can be equally low.
BrtFrkwr@reddit
You definitely don't want to fly night freight.
Presid0nt@reddit (OP)
id sacrifice my social life to fly the MD-11 ngl lol
ChiefDaddyJ@reddit
You’d be sacrificing your life in general to fly the MD-11
Presid0nt@reddit (OP)
Please educate me if I'm wrong but the MD-11s failure was due to mainly crappy maintenance right? I love tri engines
ChiefDaddyJ@reddit
Pretty sure it was due to a structural error in the engine pylon. Not due to mtx. Could be wrong as I didn’t read into a ton, but there’s a reason all airlines grounded their MD-11s and haven’t brought them back into service
one1200@reddit
😂
latedescent@reddit
Best (saddest) comment
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
I did, not worth it
GrabtharsHumber@reddit
It's bizarre that we live in a world where there are more L-1011s flying than MD-11s, but here we are.
NonVideBunt@reddit
L-1011 got the last laugh guess… it was always the better airplane just never took off compared to the DC-10/MD-11.
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Lol. 1 vs none?
GrabtharsHumber@reddit
Math checks out
Admirable_Sign_2664@reddit
Same ngl though it looks like that won't happen, but it's probably for the best.
tomsawyerisme@reddit
welp i got some bad news for yah
Presid0nt@reddit (OP)
Wouldn't you have the day to yourself? Or only flying night freight is not a realistic schedule
latedescent@reddit
Idk I fly freight and I don’t find it too lonely, but then again I’m an introvert.
Harry73127@reddit
If you have enough voices in your head no where is lonely
Blorglue@reddit
SHH dont say that there might be an AME here
fender8421@reddit
Also can't miss family if you don't have a family. Can't believe how nobody else realizes this
-Cagafuego-@reddit
Hellblade 3 - Senua's Fun Days!
Nearby-Medicine9484@reddit
Man, that takes me back. I flew single pilot freight back in the day. All week, all night. Talk about loneliness.
I did party hard on the weekends though (college city) and could stay up later than anyone! 🤣
BrtFrkwr@reddit
Who did you fly DC-9 for?
Nearby-Medicine9484@reddit
MD88/90/717.
That probably answers your question.
Freight was Navajos and Barons.
vagasportauthority@reddit
If you know you know.
AJetpilot@reddit
"Light chop".
Nearby-Medicine9484@reddit
Always.
vagasportauthority@reddit
Left final
Ancient-Dust3077@reddit
The problem is flight attendants are not hot and there are no hot female pilots either . So co corkers is not a way to meet people im assuming?
Presid0nt@reddit (OP)
😭
digital_dyslexia@reddit
To be honest man you're gonna feel that change and separation no matter what career you do, most friends move away and you probably will as well. You will outgrow those people and realize it's completely fine. That's just part of growing up, you will make new lifelong friends no matter where and what you do and in a few years you will not base any decisions around who is where anyways. Aside from freshman year of college which is a very lonely time for everyone anyways tbh, you're gonna be just fine. So just do what you want to do and you will build a life you love around it no matter what, or where, or who you end up with.
Presid0nt@reddit (OP)
Thanks man this has been eating away at me for a week horribly. I'm not much of an emotionally intelligent person, so it's hard for me to really believe if this career will really be worth it for me.
PontiusThe-AV8Tor@reddit
Sure I'll make it very easy. If you are asking this question then you re the sort of person who belongs nowhere near a cockpit. You have to be willing to ruthlessly and efficiently cut out everyone and everything important in your life and move a the drop of a hat for the next opportunity. If you Care about things like being lonely or missing home or time away, you are the opposite end of the spectrum from most of our daily lives.
We wake up to go to the loo at see out watch and wonder if it is 04:00hrs or 16:00hrs as we cant tell as the blackout curtains have done their job. We then pick up the food menu and turn it over and look at what language is it to work out where we are in the world and then calculate the time difference as to whether to send the children or other half a message.
We miss everything! Birthdays, weddings, school plays, sports matches, parents evenings, parties because nothing is more important than flying basically you have to want it more than anything else and care about very little else or you will be one of those guys who spend the whole trip moaning about never being home until you quit!
This si not a job for people who want a work life balance. You can have a work/work balance with some minimum rest in between until you retire or you can step aside and let someone who wants it more take it.
Don't take it personally I don't know you but if this puts you off then good. If it doesn't then I look forward to flying with you one day or catching you on frequency heading the other way!
Gwaiwar@reddit
Personally I’d say no. I’m a helicopter guy did lots of single pilot flying and a lot more 2 crew IFR stuff. I much prefer being on my own most of the time though. It’s not lonely, it’s peaceful
Several-Village5814@reddit
Yes it can be, especially because you're only working with 1 other pilot and maybe 2-4 other flight attendants. It's not like an office job where you are around 2 dozen people a day. It provides a lot of autonomy but it can in turn make it a lot more lonely than most jobs. Pros and cons. The pro is that you don't have a boss you see everyday. You basically never meet your "Boss" as long as you do your job properly and safely.
Janupa@reddit
I think loneliness is a pretty common trend in aviation. A lot of the people instructing at my previous flight school were single. People flying professionally either 91, 121, or 135 seem to have such a hectic lifestyle that maintaining a relationship seems to be a struggle. Personally, I definitely think its a lonely career unless you meet someone in the same field or someone that can deal with you being away for extended periods of time or you meet someone and get married early. Seniority does dictate your relationship availability but thats way down the line in your career.
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
Very /thread
flyingforfun3@reddit
It’s funny because my first overnight away was hard. But I had a good crew mate (it was just the two of us assigned to this plane) and we had a lot of the same hobbies. Over the years we hiked, checked out breweries, etc.
Even though that job is long gone, and I don’t always want to hang out with who I’m flying with, I try to find at least one thing to do. Whether it’s a fun dinner, a hike, brewery, a store. If I’m in the middle of no where I bring my X box or switch. Try to get a work out in everyday, even if it’s just 30 minutes it’s good for your body and mind.
It’s really not that bad.
Oh and you can call/facetime/skype/zoom your friends/family anytime.
Hellhult@reddit
I mean no offense, but are you saying one night away from home was hard?
flyingforfun3@reddit
I meant the first time I had an overnight away was hard, but I learned how to entertain myself and feel connected to friends and family while away.
Hellhult@reddit
Im glad you have a good home. I am in the Army. So I am used to being away from home 5-9 months at a time. Shows how out of touch I am.
EnthusiasmHuman6413@reddit
Every night away from Home is hard. I have a great home.
DisregardLogan@reddit
Well if it was his first one, it makes sense
Ankles_perhaps@reddit
I’m currently a sophomore in college and I dealt with the same exact things. The biggest thing is getting involved with the community around you. Which honestly is good to have other pilot friends that will understand the work and stress load with you. You got this! Remember you can always keep in contact with them over the phone too
Altruistic-Food8098@reddit
There’s always going to be moments where it feels lonely. Flying is going to make you make sacrifices. I’ve had to cancel dates, miss out on family stuff, plans with friends etc. It happens with any job or school. If you don’t want to be away from everyone as much, airlines aren’t the only option. There’s many a long term flying jobs that will allow you to be home at the end of the day or give you more flexibility.
Bayou38@reddit
Been a pilot for 32 years. I don’t find it lonely at all. I like hanging with myself and I enjoy being social with my crew members. Trips are busy and by the time you’re done flying, you’re ready to chill. HOWEVER being a corporate pilot can get pretty lonely if you’re stuck somewhere for a while. I spent 8 days in St Maarten over thanksgiving without my family. That’s lonely. Corporate flying sucks. (Did it for 19 years)
hunman2019@reddit
Do you have a sort of “regular crew” you bond with or is it always random people? Im a server in primary flight training and one thing imma def miss about the being a server even when im at an airline is the social life of it.
Bayou38@reddit
I work for a huge airline and I rarely fly with the same people. So, not regular. You make the most of it. I absolutely do not find it lonely. Social? I have a social life when I’m not working as I work 13 days a month in 2 long blocks. The rest of the time is mine to socialize. I am too tired mostly to party on the road, and it’s really really not smart to do that anyway. Recommend keeping your social life out of your work life.
RDRNR3@reddit
100% agree. Have been on the 121 side for most of my career, I got lucky with a good 135 gig when I started but also spent long stretches on the road like you mention.
tangowhiskeyyy@reddit
This thread is absolutely insane.
Under 0 circumstances should you chose a career (a highly variable, cyclic, and unpredictable career at that) entirely over your loved ones.
It's actually insane for someone to tell you that you should not consider anyone's wishes when deciding a career. All the divorce jokes are just jokes apparently. I started this in the military and even the military will explicitly tell you "the military will be gone for you one day but your family won't."
Don't take advice you can just "chose" your way out of typical entry level schedules if you also want to make this a thing.
You can listen to the people saying that you will be on your death bed thinking "Im so glad I spent all those nights in memphis and des moines instead of having a single friend" I guess but the reality is much more complicated. It's a lonely job and travel isn't glamorous.
Waxxing_Gibbouss@reddit
By your logic no one should ever go to college or get a job out of state lol.
live_drifter@reddit
👏
Messyfingers@reddit
Based on flairs on some of these takes, it's the young people who haven't been burned yet. There are so many variables totally outside of your control. Being the hottest of hot shit will not cancel out the business uncertainties, health risks, macroeconomic trends etc that can derail or potentially end your career. That can be a very bad time if you have nothing but flying. That's true for any high risk/reward career path.
UziWitDaHighTops@reddit
Between three ex wives and hookers I don’t think most pilots are lonely.
RDRNR3@reddit
It can be a little bit, but it depends how long your trips are. Although I miss my family, I still enjoy trips and overnights. Now that I have kids, I think being away for 17 days would be hard, but my typical 4 day where I leave late on day 1 is very normal.
Sometimes I go out with the other pilot, sometimes not. I also enjoy a little alone time and doing my own thing. So the right trip can be a good reset.
Recently I’ve made a point to try and strike up some conversations with strangers while on layovers. Just because everyone is so addicted to their phones, including myself
Colonelmann@reddit
Question is, will your friends miss you as much as you think? Age 26 and that social circle has crumbled, and your sitting here without a career or friends.
LRJetCowboy@reddit
I don’t show it in the cockpit but I sob uncontrollably in my hotel room on every overnight.
space_rhinos@reddit
Hey dude I’m not 100% sure if this is satire but if this is real, take action. Feeling like this is not a permanent thing and you can make a change here and there to help these feelings.
LRJetCowboy@reddit
Thanks for your concern. When I read the post and thought about what pilots go through on this topic the irony of this kids concerns were pretty significant.
I’ve been fortunate, but I do know others that aren’t so lucky. I hope the FAA sees their way to a compromise on the current draconian policies for those less fortunate than myself.
space_rhinos@reddit
Yeah overnights can be tough mentally especially, if you’re in a tough spot and needing family and friends it can feel like torture. I’m a really social person and struggled a lot at first, funnily enough having just a small chat here and there with people at the hotel or at the check in (assuming ur crew aren’t really ur vibe) goes a long way. Stay away from alcohol and try be productive gym or swim or walk. You’re fighting ur body’s normal biology all the time on layovers with different time zones etc so you have to fight back.
RaidenMonster@reddit
Better than at the lobby bar I’d say.
AvailableAd4131@reddit
Life’s just a bunch of choices, make the one that’s best for you and don’t look back. Throughout high school you’re around your friends all day everyday and hanging out on the weekends, the hard truth is life after school will never be like that again, everyone will go their own ways and you might never see or talk to people ever again and that’s OK, if flying is a passion I say go for it, we all have to work a job the best way to make your life enjoyable is find one you love to do even if it means you have to make some other sacrifices.
space_rhinos@reddit
Pilot training is pretty lonely as well. But anything that’s worth it demands some kind of sacrifice. You get what you put in.
You will just need to make more of an effort to see your mates along the way, more than most careers. I think my friendships got better in a way. Because when I do get to see my friends we usually do more stuff because it’s less often I get a chance to properly see them if that makes sense.
carsgobeepbeep@reddit
There are probably around 5 phases of this career assuming your goal is the airlines.
Initial training, PPL through CFI, hours 0 through \~250
CFI life for 2-4 years, hours \~250-1500 (maybe even 2000+ these days, market's tough)
Baby pilot FO at a regional - first 2-3 years of your professional flying life
Seniority at a regional
low-seniority FO at a legacy
Established with some seniority at a legacy
Phase 1 I'll skip describing beyond saying it's crazy expensive and everyone on this sub highly recommends having some sort of job to pay as you go for flight training instead of taking a loan. That will cut into your free time but the entire rest of your life will be infinitely better for it.
Phase 2 you will be too busy to worry about a social life. You will get paid very little and work a lot. Your goal is typically to instruct as much as possible, maybe 6 days a week, to build your hours as fast as you can so you can begin the airline seniority timer as early in your life as is feasible and begin getting paid real money at Phase 3 to begin recovering from the enormous cost of Phase 1 + the financial sacrifices of years of a CFI paycheck... deferred car maintenance, crappy apartments with roommates, living at home, whatever that may look like for you. You don't make a lot of money here, no two ways about it. That will undoubtedly limit your social life but if you join the right school you will make lifelong friends with other CFIs, line crew, and students and you will find ways to have fun.
Phase 3, welcome to overnights in Fargo North Dakota in winter. Airline schedules work on a seniority-based bid system and you'll have limited say in your schedule or your trip destinations as the lowest guy on the totem pole--and regionals typically fly to unglamorous places and put you in lower quality hotel rooms. A gaming laptop is the best friend of many a pilot at this stage.
Phase 4, you start to get some quality of life. If you do everything right it's now perhaps 7 years since you began flight training. You've figured out your contract and how to bid on trips and create many days off in a row. Maybe you met somebody. You've definitely got a few friends in and out of the industry. Maybe some in different area codes. You've leveraged your flight benefits and can visit them on your days off for free.
Phase 5, bit of a quality of life dip because you're at a new airline and back at the bottom of the seniority list - so break out that gaming laptop again - but you're getting paid REAL money now and you might be flying to some cool places too and staying in better hotels.
Phase 5.5, maybe you move from FO to CA at your legacy. Pay and responsibility bump, seniority list reset. Quality of life vs. long term career goals. Largely a personal choice here, yours to make usually.
Phase 6 - this is mid to late career, and you're finally making $250K+ while working just 15 days a month. Welcome to the life. It was an absolute grind to get here, and I'd wager that less than 5% of people hack it through the earlier phases and get here. I sincerely hope you've arrived without getting wrapped up in toxic, problematic politics or your sixth divorce or navigating medical issues that threaten to take it all away. You can buy a modest sailboat and have time to sail it. You could take up woodworking or a project car or kit plane. You are definitely home a lot and are also largely done moving around the country to relocate to your airline's new base assignment. You've made it, my friend.
mfsp2025@reddit
I love how Fargo ND is the go to location for “shitty regional overnight”. My airline’s Fargo hotel is one of our nicest, some guys actually bid for those overnights. Even in the winter
Twarrior913@reddit
I’d throw in a phase 4.5, senior regional FO upgrades to regional Captain. It’s like phase 3 but you know the in’s and out’s.
Lanky_Beyond725@reddit
Pretty nice summary but I would say even at the regional level you can pretty quickly get 15 days off and 15 on if that's what you desire especially as an fo on the captain's side, it's a little more difficult
carsgobeepbeep@reddit
Yeah good call. That's basically what I was getting at with my "phase 5.5" with the QOL vs. career goals decision.
Remain an FO = accelerated path to Phase 6 however your sailboat won't be as big nor your woodshop as fancy. Still a very good living and you still get to fly jets with great flexibility and without the Captain responsibilities and pressure, which are not for everyone.
Upgrade to CA, you go back to Phase 5 and work more again for longer, but if you do it all right your lifetime earnings go up a lot.
blanc84gn@reddit
Hey man. I have pals all over the country and when both schedules align I go out with them on layovers.
Both_Coast3017@reddit
I am so lonely. All the other Pilots are scared of me. No one talks to me. No one wants to be my friend. They think I am unstable. They send me from airport to airport committing atrocities in their name. And as I get better at it, they fear me more and more. I am a victim of my own success. "Conquest." I don't even get a real name. Only a purpose. I am capable of so much more and no-one sees it. Some days I feel so alone I could cry, but I don't. I never do. Because what would be the point? Not a single person in the entire universe would care.
Odious_Taint@reddit
Consider myself lucky and can't imagine doing anything else, but I'd be lying if I didnt wonder sometimes what a "normal" schedule would look like. Moved continents to chase the whole pilot thing. Get to fly a badass jet all across the world and make decent money. I did just kind of assume that everything else would fall into place once I achieved that but thats not really how things work.
It takes effort and initiative (maybe more so than other careers) to build lasting social connections where you live if half the time you respond to invites "sorry I can't I'm at work". Not to mention finding a partner once youre already established can be difficult too. Takes a certain type of person to be cool with you being gone 50% of the time. Chill work colleagues that you see on the regular aren't a thing either.
Long way of saying that its important that you chase your passions and be lucky enough to work a job that you enjoy. It can be "dangerous" though if you let it consume you and don't give any weight to other important aspects in your life i.e. family, community, friends etc.
External-Victory6473@reddit
Time to do some adulting. Yes, leaving home for school, work, etc. takes us away from friends and familiar things. But that's how it works. Those friends you say you will miss will probably pack off on their own life adventures so you may be parting ways with them anyway. There's always the phone and internet to keep in touch. Plus you will make friends in your new locations. I don't think you are worried so much about loneliness, it seems more about stress due to change. You will get used to it. There's a big world out there and you will find your place in it.
Phocio@reddit
My son is currently in college going through flight training, he’s having a blast, it’s a fairly small tight knit group. He’s in an aviation fraternity, they do trips together, he’s dated a couple of girls that are doing the same. He and several of his friends are even talking about once they get settled in the airlines developing a fly in community together.
flyboy130@reddit
Fuck im about to sound old...
A significant portion of this concern is your age. Trust that what you are feeling about your friends is normal but it will change. You are used to having friends around you most of the time in school but that isn't how life after school works. And thats true if you are an airline pilot or an office worker. It will be ok you won't even notice you've adjusted to it.
If flying is something you want to do, don't let this fear stop you. It is temporary and you might regret it later.
Unfair-Bison-3946@reddit
I'm home every night to my wife and daughter. At my old regional job I was away from my family maybe three nights a month.
You make choices in your career that align with your values.
Waxxing_Gibbouss@reddit
This should not be the top comment as this is pretty rare lol.
tangowhiskeyyy@reddit
Yeah bro you can just chose not to do the average entry level schedule it's super easy and common.
Lanky_Beyond725@reddit
It's not that easy at the regional to be in a hotel only 3 nights a month...that takes some seniority
Unfair-Bison-3946@reddit
Or just be Canadian. I'm now flying cargo
jetpilot87@reddit
Might be helpful for OP to share what kind of flying job you have that’s has you home every night, and how long it took you to get there.
SeaworthinessDear808@reddit
If you’re worried about time away from friends, do NOT come and be a pilot dude. Friends are one thing, family is another. You knock up a girl and it’s gonna be over for you if you’re worried about this. It’s lonely.
Smokey_Bird@reddit
In professional flying you will be worked hard, fatigued, and will miss your family.
There are many positives: fun, good money, etc. But the answer to your question is yes. You will make many sacrifices, and it can be very lonely.
Several-Village5814@reddit
Only honest answer.
Capt_A_Hole@reddit
Money my boy!
AtariFerrariNH@reddit
If you can't deal with being away from home aviation is not the career for you.
Several-Village5814@reddit
This. Unless you live in base and want to work for allegiant as a career.
AtariFerrariNH@reddit
But what about during your initial training at Allegiant? I had positive space travel home during my initial training at my airline, and I was still gone for over a month aside from a few brief visits. It can be a grind.
Several-Village5814@reddit
Yep. And low cost carrier airlines change bases too. If it closes you may end up commuting or selling your house.
SRM_Thornfoot@reddit
The real truth is you are about to lose almost all of your High School friends when you go to college. You will likely make more friends there, but you will lose touch with them as well as you enter the workforce. This will happen no matter what job you go into, flying or otherwise. You don't actually lose your friends, but staying as close as you are now becomes secondary to other things that will become more important to you.
It could be different for you, but I have seen this pattern repeated more often than not. You will likely end up with a family, a small group of forever friends, and a dog. You will be happy, and you won't be lonely.
Mobe-E-Duck@reddit
Depends on the company and type of job and if you are outgoing / ok with videoconferencing
NolanonoSC@reddit
I've met my closest friends while in an undergrad pilot program, and some of my other closest friends work at our small little charter operation, I'm sure if you eventually got to long haul it tends to be lonelier but there's other things to do in aviation!
UnfortunateSnort12@reddit
It can be lonely, but I’ve built up a good group of friends that play games online. So when I’m at work, it’s also social time on the overnights. You also have a (for better or worse) pilot trapped in the same cockpit with you that you can talk to. It’s usually just surface level small talk though.
You get used to it. A lot of time the overnights are short so you don’t really have time to get too lonely.
mateenxxx@reddit
I will be blunt. U are only talking like this because u still have a lot of growing up to do.
Friends and sometimes family will come and go but ur career is ur stability.
When I was in high school we had a click, but life happened and everyone went there separate ways.
In College, I met my girlfriend and some of my closest friends, but I’ve lost connection with some of them cause that’s life.
Met people in flight school, Im in touch with some and I haven’t spoken to others in years cause that’s just how life goes.
UR CAREER SHOULD BE WHAT MATTERS MOST. People, pets and girls shouldn’t be ur priority.
Secondly, U will be home for at least 15 days a month when u make it to the airlines.
SnooCupcakes1514@reddit
Sorry, but no. I am a pilot because it funds the life I want to live. I get at least half the month off. When I am not working, I can completely check out. When I am working, I have a pretty chill job.
davihar@reddit
You have some growing up to do too because your career will end one day, and probably not a day of your choosing. It will mess with your mind even if your career isn’t the majority of your identity. Start preparing.
MiniTab@reddit
I don’t think so. I was an engineer for a few years out of college before I was a full time professional pilot, and I have more time with my wife and friends as a pilot.
Unless you’re WFH, an 8-5 job is pretty grueling. You wake up and go to work, come home, have time for dinner, maybe a workout, and an hour or two of TV or whatever with your family. Repeat 4x until the weekend.
As a pilot I’m gone ~12 days/mo, the rest of the time I’m home and have the entire time to spend with people.
Only caveat is my wife and most of my friends have flexible jobs, so hanging out during the week is no problem. It would be potentially challenging to be a pilot with a spouse that only has weekends off.
Waxxing_Gibbouss@reddit
I don’t know why people are saying “you’ll be home every night and it’s not lonely.”
Real answer is if you want to work at a legacy and be home you need to live in base. Unless you’re already st a base that means moving.
You will be alone. A lot. You will adapt but you’ll still get lonely sometimes. But with texting and FaceTime it makes it easier. I’m a loner but I still definitely get very lonely every once in a while. But reading, running and watching movies helps.
pilotshashi@reddit
Until you acquire ATP, trust me, you’ve learned to adapt.
BeefyMcPissflaps@reddit
I don’t find it lonely at all. I like exploring new places I’d likely never have gone and it gives me an excuse to catch up with friends in other parts of the country. I primarily fly in a crew environment but the days I’m flying the PC-12 by myself can be some of the best. Late night, no moon in the flight levels with no passengers and no one in the right seat is amazingly calm and relaxing.
MNSoaring@reddit
Learn to fly glider planes first. Best way to start to form community connections since glider flying is always a group effort. Skills learned in a glider are also transferable to other parts of aviation.
MacAttack0711@reddit
There’s lots of pilot jobs that let you be home most nights or sometimes even every night. They won’t pay as well as the airlines but that’s not necessarily what’s important to you.
Going to college will feel lonely because you’re off to college, that’s normal and a great growth experience overall, but that’s regardless of your major or whether you become a pilot. It may not be easy but it’ll be worth it.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
From a private pilot to a commercial airline, how lonely is it really?
I'm a senior in HS about to go to college for flight training but I don't think I can handle emotionally the time away from friends. Especially if I ever get hired in the airlines, how do people deal with it? I have a dog that I'm very attached to, could you guys give any advice or just the real truth?
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