3 answers
Emily
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
9
Questions
Asked
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Are you on call as a starter pilot? How does a started pilot different from a veteran pilot?
I am a sophomore in highschool and this career is hopefully going to be my lifetime career!
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3 answers
Alexzandria Valentine
First Officer
13
Answers
Powder Springs, Georgia
Updated
Alexzandria’s Answer
It's about seniority. Initially you will be on something the industry calls "reserve". This means you could be called into work, but you might not. The longer you're with the company the higher your seniority and the likelihood of becoming a "line holder" increase. A "line holder" is someone with a set work schedule. The flights that are on your schedule you work. Depending on where you are "based" (the city you report for the start and end of work". You may become a "line holder" sooner rather than later.
Steven Boyce
Director of Maintenance
21
Answers
Wenatchee, Washington
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Emily
It is all about your level of seniority in the pilot group. As a new pilot you are in more of a reserve capacity and used to fill the needed openings. You don't necessarily have a true/set schedule. As a more senior pilot you will get to fly a line or more of a set schedule. The speed with which you move up in the seniority lines will depend on where you are based, how much flying you do and how many hours you build. This could be a faster move, or a slower move up the seniority ladder depending on the airline and where you are based out of.
It is all about your level of seniority in the pilot group. As a new pilot you are in more of a reserve capacity and used to fill the needed openings. You don't necessarily have a true/set schedule. As a more senior pilot you will get to fly a line or more of a set schedule. The speed with which you move up in the seniority lines will depend on where you are based, how much flying you do and how many hours you build. This could be a faster move, or a slower move up the seniority ladder depending on the airline and where you are based out of.
Dr Fisch
Flight Attendant
19
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Dr’s Answer
The previous answers are correct. How long you "sit on reserve" depends on your senority (how long you've been in that position) compared to the others in your base. However, as some bases are more senior or junior compared to other bases, another factor is how fast the base or airline is growing. At some airlines, growth is so rapid, you can be off reserve after only a few months. This is because there are so many new reservists being hired after you.
And another thing to consider is that with commercial airlines, there are at least two pilots onboard: a First Officer and a Captain. You'll initially start as a First Officer and sit on the right side in the flight deck. You'll be on reserve until you're a line holder. And then when you're senior enough, you'll "upgrade" to a Captain, move to the seat on the left, and then again be on reserve in that new position until there are enough junior pilots below you (who upgraded after you in your base).
And another thing to consider is that with commercial airlines, there are at least two pilots onboard: a First Officer and a Captain. You'll initially start as a First Officer and sit on the right side in the flight deck. You'll be on reserve until you're a line holder. And then when you're senior enough, you'll "upgrade" to a Captain, move to the seat on the left, and then again be on reserve in that new position until there are enough junior pilots below you (who upgraded after you in your base).