1 Year Later...
Its been 1 year. I am off probation which means I've got pretty descent seniority, I've gotten my first pay raise and moved up to 2 year pay.
I have union protection now. I hope to never have to use it. I think I am a pretty safe pilot.
I have logged 500 hours in the E-175, Gone around twice, Diverted once, Been stranded 5 nights, Junior manned once, Flown the ILS to mins about 3 times.
Ice, Snow, rain, windshear, and gremlins on the wing. I have done all the things now.
Pros:
I am a line holder with good seniority in my seat and base. This is pure luck and timing but means my quality of life is great.
Non Reving is a benefit that is worth its weight in gold. I have taken the family to Canada, Chicago, New York, Florida, California, Arizona, Wisconsin with 0 missed flights so far.
I am pretty happy to go to work which is also worth its weight in gold.
I am the most proficient at instrument flying I have ever been. I was never overly confident in my instrument flying skills prior.
Special passengers are frequent and brighten my day. Kids and adults going on their first flights are fun. I like to let them in the flight deck for photos and they seem to love that.
I am comfortable in the plane but still learning on every flight.
This is odd but I love the scheduling game. It is like gambling, watching the boards, doing the math, figuring out which trips benefit me in various ways, and trading trips. Its addicting.
Cons:
This has definitely impacted my love of aviation, especially general aviation. I suspect I might not be a plane owner this time next year but will probably join a club just to have the option.
The other part of that is I am not bothered by this at all. Me a year ago would have been mad to believe that I turned into that guy. I really don't mind it. Worth noting this has been an intense year of eating, sleeping, breathing aviation as I am learning this plane and career so that may shift as muscle memory continues to take hold.
I'm tired a lot. I haven't had a job where I am physically tired. I think it is a combination of the mental strain that flying takes combined with the shifting schedules, late nights, early mornings.
After most of my sequences, I come home and need a lengthy nap to reset.
Not being home when needed. My AC went out at the house yesterday. It was a helpless feeling when my son called and said "if the home owner is not here, they cant do the work".
Worst experience so far was holding in IMC and icing conditions over the mountains in Monterrey MX, down to bingo fuel while absolutely death gripping the grab handle. Worst turbulence I have ever experienced. I can't even begin to describe how badly we were getting rocked. I have had 2 flights like that so far.
Best was absolutely greasing my first landing and being greeted by pax that were very complimentary.
One woman approached and asked "who landed?" captain pointed at me and she said "I had no idea we were on the ground until I heard the engines get loud."
Its fun to get fist bumps after a flight. Fist bump the pilots when they butter the landing.
Fun facts
Jets don't have keys.
There is more "personal protection" on board then I would have imagined. LEO, Feds, FFDO (google that one. I had no idea).
All you have to do is buy a "service animal" vest off amazon and then you can bring your pets on vacation. So many seeing eye wiener dogs, westies, poodles, chihuahuas out there. who knew?
We pull power over the numbers just like in your Bonanza.
Sometimes people on your flights are being deported or are in a Con-Air scenario.
If the overhead bin above your seat says "Main cabin extra" your adult beverages are free of charge (at my company).
We have an app that senses turbulence on our ipad and networks with all the other ipads to generate a turbulence map.
If you are hungry at the airport, find out if they have a 7-11. Their hot section (Breakfast tacos, burritos, etc) are like $2.50 Its the most reasonable priced food in the airports.
The checklist for my Comanche is longer than the 175.
"Winglets" is a trademarked by Boeing so the 175 has an "enhanced wing tip" and the airbus has "Sharklets".
The shortest flight we do is DFW to Waco. I believe it is a sub 15 min flight if south flow. Driving would be faster than flying given boarding, taxi, etc.
It was a good move making this career change but the honeymoon and unicorn stuff is gone. This is work and it is taxing work but I prefer it and still wish I had pursued it sooner.
With the seniority system, you do start swinging the bat with the weight on the end of it and with every new schedule, there is less and less weight so there is this consistent sense of life improving.
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Sometimes its just like a Cessna.
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