Airline Pilot
You operate airliners on scheduled routes: planning the flight, checking weather and fuel, running checklists with the other pilot, and flying or monitoring each leg. The captain commands the aircraft and everyone aboard it. Most of the job is procedure and monitoring; the training exists for the minutes that are not.
Updated
Typical Pay (US)*
$171kmedian*Outlook
Pilot shortage and travel rebound drove strong hiring and contract-driven wage gains; full cockpit automation faces regulatory and safety barriers.
What does a Airline Pilot do?
You operate airliners on scheduled routes: planning the flight, checking weather and fuel, running checklists with the other pilot, and flying or monitoring each leg. The captain commands the aircraft and everyone aboard it. Most of the job is procedure and monitoring; the training exists for the minutes that are not.
A day in the life
- You check weather, notices, and fuel numbers before you reach the aircraft.
- The briefing with the first officer covers the runway, the winds, the divert plan.
- You run the checklist aloud, hand on the thrust levers, waiting for the call.
- Cruise is monitoring: fuel burn, weather reroutes, radio work with each new sector.
- The day ends in another city, with duty limits deciding what tomorrow looks like.
How to become a Airline Pilot
- 1
Start with a private certificate
Flight school or a university aviation program; the first hours are yours to fund.
- 2
Add instrument and commercial ratings
Instrument flying is the capability airlines are actually hiring for.
- 3
Build hours toward the minimum
Most pilots instruct or fly cargo to reach 1,500 hours for the ATP.
- 4
Earn the ATP certificate
The Airline Transport Pilot certificate plus a first-class medical is the legal door.
- 5
Join a regional, then move
A type rating and seniority at a regional is the standard path to a major.
Skills that matter
Learn the actual skills
Mochivia teaches in short, interactive lessons on iPhone, a few minutes a day.
