My passion started decades ago as a kid on a flight to India. I was fascinated by how such a large airplane was able to glide smoothly above the clouds. From that day, I made it a goal to become an airline pilot. Since then, I have fulfilled my goal and I am now a pilot for American Airlines. My experiences have made me want to continue piloting until the day I have been deemed unfit for flying. Though being a pilot consumes my life, it is not something I would ever want to give away for any reason whatsoever.
Typical Day
Often times, people ask me what my typical day is like being a pilot. Each time I am asked this question, I give a similar response: There is no typical day for me. My job is slightly different compared to that of a typical pilot. Most pilots have a handful of routes they fly on a weekly basis. They then familiarize themselves with these certain routes. However, in my case, I fill in for any job where a pilot is immediately required. It is true that some days I might have a workday from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon. However, compared to the average worker, I will have woken up in one city and will now, at five in the afternoon, be sitting on the opposite side of the country. That’s what makes my job slightly different. I have been able to experience lives in various different parts of the country, whether that be in Little Rock, Arkansas, or San Francisco, California. In fact, some days might even begin at three in the morning if that is when I am needed to fly. Thus, in regards to the typical day, I do not have one, and that’s what makes my job so interesting.
Important Takeaways
Having been on the job for over two decades, I have learned some very important life lessons. As I greet passengers boarding the airplane, I realize that there are so many different types of people from different parts of the world, all of whom I help on a daily basis by bringing them where they need to be. Though I work very odd hours, I understand that at the end of the day, or the beginning, I, along with other airline pilots, have enhanced the lives of those who we are serving. In fact, there is one particular experience that I will never forget. A family was walking in from the gate, speaking of how a relative was ill. It was at this point that I realized just how important my job was. I was uniting this family, along with every single other one who was boarding my airplane, whether that be in a casual or dire situation.
Therefore, my life as an airline pilot is definitely not for everyone. However, my job is something that I enjoy thoroughly and will continue to do for decades to come. As an airline pilot, I have been able to experience so many different types of situations in a variety of different places throughout the world. For anyone interested in piloting, I would recommend going for it.
