What does it take to become a 777 or 747 or 380 captain?

Caelum Deus said:
I could see that getting old quick. I just have had a philosophy to aim for the top and from what I know, international long haul seems like that is it
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What about international long haul makes you think that? The pay? The places you go? The big airplanes? The schedules? The prestige? I'm genuinely curious.
 
BobDDuck said:
What about international long haul makes you think that? The pay? The places you go? The big airplanes? The schedules? The prestige? I'm genuinely curious.
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I just compare distance flown to experience level. A student pilot stays in the pattern, and astronauts go to the moon, so with that type of logic it seems that flying planes around the world would be pretty close to reaching the top of the experience chain
 
Caelum Deus said:
it seems that flying planes around the world would be pretty close to reaching the top of the experience chain
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Not really. While you certainly need to know your stuff to deal with various country's ATC requirements and how and when to use things like CPDLC and HF, it's really not that hard to take off, engage the autopilot, make some FMC entries, eat dinner, stare out the window, take a nap, stare out the window some more, set up an approach in the FMC, turn off the autopilot, land, taxi in, go through customs and then go to the hotel and take a nap.

Honestly, the guy doing 4 legs a day on a 737, in the weather all day, or the guy on the CRJ doing 6 legs a day in the same weather, but into uncontrolled airfields some of the time, is actually more hardcore.

Guys bid longhaul because it's more relaxed, pays better and gives them more days off (in general) or because their junk is small and they want to fly a big plane to compensate. Not because it's the top of anything.
 
BobDDuck said:
Not really. While you certainly need to know your stuff to deal with various country's ATC requirements and how and when to use things like CPDLC and HF, it's really not that hard to take off, engage the autopilot, make some FMC entries, eat dinner, stare out the window, take a nap, stare out the window some more, set up an approach in the FMC, turn off the autopilot, land, taxi in, go through customs and then go to the hotel and take a nap.

Honestly, the guy doing 4 legs a day on a 737, in the weather all day, or the guy on the CRJ doing 6 legs a day in the same weather, but into uncontrolled airfields some of the time, is actually more hardcore.

Guys bid longhaul because it's more relaxed, pays better and gives them more days off (in general) or because their junk is small and they want to fly a big plane to compensate. Not because it's the top of anything.
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I would agree but the guy doing long haul has probably don't the 6/4 leg flights too. I just love the learning experience of flying and I look forward to maxing out. It seems like international ops will do that.
About the junk, or it could be someone with big junk wants to make their big junk even bigger ;-)
 
PhilosopherPilot said:
It's good to have goals, but I've always found the desire to fly big equipment across the pond to be a bit silly. I'd rather stay senior on something less "desirable," and ride across the pond in the back on my days off. :)

Seriously though, I get all stir crazy after about 4 hours. Long haul is not for me!!
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4 hours. Long haul. Cute.
 
Caelum Deus said:
I just compare distance flown to experience level. A student pilot stays in the pattern, and astronauts go to the moon, so with that type of logic it seems that flying planes around the world would be pretty close to reaching the top of the experience chain
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Just to throw a little muddy water into your logic, the number one pilot on the new UA seniority list of over 12,000 pilots is a 737 captain based in LAX. One's definition of reaching the top obviously varies from pilot to pilot.

That being said, don't let anybody define your goals or dreams for you.
 
BobDDuck said:
What about international long haul makes you think that? The pay? The places you go? The big airplanes? The schedules? The prestige? I'm genuinely curious.
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Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes. Just joking on the prestige part. But some people who are attracted to airline flying, are partly attracted...I think...bc they are large planes.

I also hope you do the 4 legs a day before you do 4 legs a month....you know...gaining experience. Advice from Capt. Ralph Butcher....don't initially become a fair weather copilot first. Bid the 4 legs a day.

And lots of people find Rome, Nice, Prague, Hong Kong, Moscow more exciting to go to and overnight in than Detroit, Lansing etc.
 
CaptBill said:
Just to throw a little muddy water into your logic, the number one pilot on the new UA seniority list of over 12,000 pilots is a 737 captain based in LAX. One's definition of reaching the top obviously varies from pilot to pilot.

That being said, don't let anybody define your goals or dreams for you.
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Do you know if he every flew international?
 
ASpilot2be said:
Yup. Load 5000lbs, fly, unload 5000lbs, fly back to base. Do that until you get 17 legs. Ugh.
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My day sounds much nicer now. Watch 120 passengers load themselves, fly 20 minutes, open the window and enjoy the nice warm sea breeze while watching 120 passengers unload themselves. Repeat 8 more times. Thanks man!
 
BobDDuck said:
My day sounds much nicer now. Watch 120 passengers load themselves, fly 20 minutes, open the window and enjoy the nice warm sea breeze while watching 120 passengers unload themselves. Repeat 8 more times. Thanks man!
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I am glad I could make your day sound much nicer! Your job sounds amazing.
 
Caelum Deus said:
Just curious. If hes done international then the top would possibly be to flying international then stay home with easy trips
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I'm still confused on why you think international would be 'top' after what's been presented here to you.


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Derg said:
My only advice, don't treat a career in aviation like a frightened 28 year old single girl worried about turning 30 that already reserved her "dream" wedding venue and just needs to find a suitable husband.

Go fly.
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I'm 27 and have dated 27-28 year old single girls...

And I approve this message.
 
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