Inside the Cockpit: A First Officer's Candid Insights on Airline Pilot Life
Travelzoo interviewed a first officer from a major regional airline, revealing answers to common questions about the realities of piloting—from daily challenges to passenger etiquette and safety myths.
What was the process to become an airline pilot?I began college and flight training in summer 2001, earning a bachelor's in aviation sciences in 2005. After investing $80,000 in training and education, I started as a flight instructor earning $18,000 annually. After 18 months, I advanced to first officer at a regional airline with a $25,000 first-year salary. Today, with over six years as a first officer, I fly a 50-seat regional jet—often called the 'Barbie Jet' or 'Pencil Jet'—across North America.
What's your favorite part of the job?Most pilots love aviation because we are passionate about flying.
What's your least favorite?Time away from home. While traveling North America sounds exciting, we often see little beyond our hotel rooms. Long duty days leave us exhausted, with under eight hours for rest, making free breakfast and a comfortable bed true highlights.
What's your biggest passenger annoyance?Entitled passengers venting frustrations on crew. Travel stress is real, but flight attendants and gate agents rarely cause delays like thunderstorms or mechanical issues. I avoid direct interaction behind the armored cockpit door. Remember: 150 years ago, travel meant the Oregon Trail's hardships. Direct outbursts before departure for easier offloading.
Should passengers worry about turbulence?No—turbulence poses minimal risk. Fasten seatbelts securely and relax. Modern airliners endure extreme conditions; no crashes occur in severe turbulence. Avoid thunderstorms entirely—watch for heavy rain, hail, lightning, or terrified flight attendants.
How often do pilots hand-fly versus use autopilot?It varies by aircraft, airline, and preference. Larger jets offer advanced automation, even autoland. Smaller planes lack it, requiring full manual control. Our airline trains hand-flying up to 10,000 feet and approaches. With up to six flights and 15-hour days, autopilot aids fatigue management.
Biggest misconception about your job?"What route do you fly?" Pilots don't have fixed routes. FAA-compliant schedules, generated by computers like 'Dave,' assign hundreds of destinations randomly for most of us.
Favorite and least favorite airports?Least: Atlanta (ATL), Washington Dulles (IAD), Chicago O'Hare (ORD)—chaos in bad weather. Favorites: Austin (AUS) for Salt Lick BBQ and live music; Albuquerque (ABQ) for green chile soup; Denver (DEN) for Heidi's Deli sandwiches. Crew lines signal great food.
Besides essentials, what do you bring to the cockpit?Light reading like magazines or crosswords. Cruising workload is low; it keeps minds sharp without distraction. Charts replace them for arrivals.
Is jet lag an issue? Tips?Yes—disrupts circadian rhythms on multi-time-zone trips. We need a recovery day post-trip. For overseas: adapt immediately. Domestic: stick to home schedule.
Are electronic devices really a danger?No immediate risk below 10,000 feet—pilots often forget ours, with no issues. Still, follow crew instructions; they enforce rules. Blame policymakers, not attendants.
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