The flight plan is one of the most crucial parts of the pre-flight process, providing information such as routes, passenger load, potential high-turbulence areas, weather patterns and fuel requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires jets flying into specific types of weather to add enough fuel to reach an alternate airport should they be unable to land at their intended destination. It becomes second nature for pilots to monitor and track the weather from the airport they take off from to the one they land at. This is important to get a holistic view of the aircraft, and can be crucial in helping crew members identify and troubleshoot problems, should an emergency arise mid-flight.Īirline transport pilots are the best in the business, and must be capable of safely navigating a plane under the pressure of inclimate weather. Safety is your top priority as an ATP captain, you need to ensure that all of the essential components are in working order.Īdditionally, go over the aircraft maintenance history to understand which parts have been recently repaired or have had issues in the past. This will help you understand potential problems that could arise and potentially ground the plane. Additionally, because of the massive amounts of pilots and flight attendants employer under the major airlines, you likely won’t know the people you’re flying with – this a provides a good opportunity to get acquainted with one another.Īfter you receive the appropriate paperwork from the flight service station and air traffic control, review the maintenance status of your plane. This meeting is intended to let pilots and crew members discuss pre-flight plans. Regardless of what time you start, an airline pilot will need to be in the briefing room at their designated airport to meet with the crew an hour to an hour and a half before takeoff. A pilot who has been with the company for many years and has established sound credibility generally has more flexibility with their schedule, while a junior pilot will have less wiggle room when it comes to requesting popular days off, like weekends, holidays or family events. The start of your shift can vary widely, depending upon your seniority within the company. If you’re dreaming of chartering passengers in jumbo jets, let’s take a glimpse into a day in the life of an ATP to see if it’s the lifestyle for you. If you fly for one of any of the major US airlines, like Delta, American Airlines, or Southwest, you’ll be exploring a career that many only dream of occupying.Īs a commercial airline pilot, there’s always another adventure around the corner.

The day-to-day life of an airline pilot is that of prestige and excitement. Have you ever wondered what the life of an airline transport pilot (ATP) is like – when their morning starts, what they do on their break, and what they spend their time doing on the job?

Day in the life of delta pilot