r/AskAPilot

Yesterday we we’re leaving Atlanta in some heavy storms and had a ground delay of about an hour. When we lined up in the taxi queue and we were number 36 and while we never shut off our engines, we creeped. About halfway through while we were moving, someone got up to use the bathroom and the flight attendant didn’t say a word. Is this typically allowed? I was surprised. Do they only make people sit once the captain says “flight attendant prepare for departure”?

Ok so I'm planning on returning to vatsim again after a little while, but I'm planning to fly VFR instead of IFR like I usually do. This is because I'm currently doing pilot training so I can hopefully get my PPL after my first solo. So I was hoping for some advice on how to fly VFR correctly because at the moment I'm just learning how to control the plane, not flying in controlled airspace. So if anyone could give some advice on what do/what to expect so I can make it less of a hassle on myself and the controllers.

I am an international student looking to begin my aviation journey in Canada, with the long-term goal of obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) and citizenship.

Due to various constraints, training in my home country is not an option. I have already shortlisted several flight schools that are Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) and eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). All of them can take me in as soon as I enroll.

My primary concern is what happens after graduation. I will have a 2–3 year window on my PGWP to build hours and gain experience, but I understand that the job market can be incredibly difficult for fresh Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holders.

To secure my future and avoid getting stuck after flight school, I am trying to resolve two main dilemmas:

1. Alternative Hour-Building Pathways:

-Apart from flight instructing, what are the most viable ways for a new CPL holder to build hours and gain valuable experience in Canada?(I do not mind moving out to any province, up north, down south or anywhere) (and I do not mind low pay, or hard work. I have the grit)

-What steps can I take to ensure a smooth transition from student to employed pilot?

2. Flight School Selection: Factory vs. Medium-Sized:

-Because flight schools predominantly hire instructors from their own student pools and finding an instructor job at a different institution is highly competitive, I am torn between two training environments:

Option A: (Large "Factory" School): Offers less personalized training, but a much higher probability of being hired internally as a Class 4 Flight Instructor upon graduation.

Option B: (Medium-Sized School): Offers superior, highly personalized training, but carries a much lower chance of internal hiring.

Given that I need to maximize my employment chances during my limited work permit, is it wiser to prioritize training quality (Option B) or internal hiring probability (Option A)?

Additional inquiry:

1.if getting hired at another institution other than the one you trained in is manageable and not too hard, do I prioritize training in challenging terrains and weather? Like in British Columbia for mountain flying and in Newfoundland for training in harsh weather conditions? Or is it doesn’t even matter?

2.Is there any particular province to prioritize/choose for training and career progression/opportunities?

For now I’m between Manitoba and Alberta. Shall I consider British Columbia? I also have the chance to train at gander flight training institution in Newfoundland.

I understand that my inquiries might be a bit too complicated, I also understand that some questions have been asked a lot, I have done my research but please be mindful that I am feeling quite overwhelmed. It is confusing and concerning. If you’re able to provide help please do so.

I am not asking you to suggest a way for me, or mislead me. I am responsible of my own decisions, I just want to get up-to-date data from people in the market.

So yesterday after we had boarded my plane but everyone was still getting settled and the doors were not closed, a ground vehicle accidentally hit our plane and the whole thing shook. I didn't see what vehicle hit it, but it wasn’t a huge accident at speed or anything, more of a shock.

We were all sent back to the gate and it was decided that the plane could not be used (I didn’t see any physical damage). No more flights were available that day, so I’ve been rebooked on the same flight for two days later.

I am a really nervous flyer and this one anxiety is now plaguing me. After something like this happens, what is the likelihood of them using that same plane for the flight I am now rebooked on? Would they use the same plane that we were taken off? It‘s the same flight number, just a different day.

A very illogical part of me is worried that they will use the same plane that got hit and something might go wrong. What sort of protocols might be in place to ensure the safety of the plane after something like this happens (this was a flight between Stockholm and Dublin)? I know logically that they will ensure everything is safe before putting people back on it, but there is a very loud part of my brain that is really worried.

Can anyone offer any advice or reassurance?

Private, CPL, IFR, Multi, etc. Which one would you say is the hardest for you?

Sorry I know you all probably hate this question so much. Since having my son I have developed such a terrible fear of flying. I’m doing a really long flight with him tomorrow (London- San Francisco) and I’m just so scared. I stupidly checked a turbulence forecast and it said moderate expected and the visual had big patches of orange which looks like bad weather.
It’s my worst fear flying into bad weather or bad turbulence and I’m so scared. How much can I trust it? Will we be able to route around it? I’m flying on VS19

Thank you so much.

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to help a friend, so I'd really appreciate any advice or insight.

A few years ago, he joined an airline in a developing country and signed a 15-year employment contract. At the time, he didn't fully understand the terms, and the agreement apparently contains several one-sided clauses. One of them requires him to pay $120,000 if he leaves before completing the 15 years, and the amount isn't even prorated.

He's a U.S. citizen, and his entire family is relocating to the U.S. permanently but he isn’t able to move due to the contract. According to him, he has never earned anywhere near enough to repay that amount, and his family can't afford it either. He also says the airline has indirectly threatened him whenever he brings up leaving and has implied they could create problems with employment verification if he resigns and file cases against him and his family.

1. Do U.S. airlines generally care about a contract dispute or breach with a foreign airline in a third world country?

2. If he flees away to escape the predatory slavery contract, is it possible? Or will the airlines from third world country go after him and report to US FAA and PRIA despite him being a us citizen?

3. If he returns to the U.S. and doesn't pay, what are the potential consequences? Will us regionals ever hire him?

4. If the airline refuses to negotiate, what options does he have?

5. Will the U.S. regional airlines or Part 135 operators in the U.S. typically contact his previous employer or be concerned about this type of contract dispute? Does foreign dispute stay in his record somehow and will regionals look at them while hiring?

Hey there, kind of a rough topic to bring into conversation. My dream is to be a helicopter pilot and I go for my aviation medical today because I’m enrolled for flight school this fall. After conducting further research to prepare myself for the exam today I came across articles about suicide attempts being an issue with getting your Class 1 medical in Canada. I attempted once when I was 13 and once when I was 15 years of age (rough home life). I am now 19 years of age and I’m doing completely fine and have done so much to heal and better myself and was wondering if with this burden I can still get my medical today?

EDIT
The CAME didn’t ask me about it, he asked if I had any diagnosis of depression or anxiety which I don’t so I think that everything is good. When I tried to give him more information about myself with family history and whatnot he said “only parents” and “yes or no” so it didn’t go much farther than that…

Hi. This is probably weird, cringey, and lame but hear me out (if it's allowed). So I, 32F, live in New Jersey and would love to specifically meet and date an airline pilot.

I dated one for a little bit and it didn't work out on a personal level, and that's okay, however, I realized several things:

1. My personal love of aviation really enhanced things. I'm a big planespotter (which was so fun with him), I used to want to be a pilot myself, and following his flights was just so neat. One of the coolest and most intimate connections I'd ever felt with someone. Like, "I know who is flying that plane ☺️." I'd track the whole thing, takeoff to landing loving each check-in.

2. I'm a scientist and academic. I regularly travel the US and world for data, conferences, and field work. A pilot gets that. They live it, but differently.

3. I am super independent. I don't cling. I don't want clingy. (If the relationship is secure that is; we don't have to discuss my anxious attachment style when something is shaky and uncertain lol). But so... I like the built in separation. Seems odd, but I do! Not because I don't want to be close with someone. But I like my space. And a little longing makes the heart grow fonder. Not sure if I'd still feel this way if, for example, kids come down the line or what. But I can't anticipate the future. I know how I feel right now.

Overall, it just seems like a very compatible profession for me.

So I guess... TLDR; where does a girl in Jersey gotta go to/how can I meet some single and emotionally available male airline pilots?

ATPL student here with a probably stupid question, but I always see people online making fun of it, saying it's cringey. But if you've just landed after a rough approach or bad weather, does it ever feel like a genuine "thank you"?

Or are the cockpit door and headsets enough that you don't hear a thing?

First I thought it was just leaving according to schedule, but then it turned out it has returned to do some practice, than left "late" to it's destination. Is that normal in government/military aviation?

What experiences have you had with a controller who is obviously overwhelmed? Is it obvious when you had a good controller versus one who’s not so good?

This is for anyone in the Louisville area. Why doesn't the University of Louisville have a part 141 school? Not sure if this a dumb question but just curious.

Fairly self explanatory, im an aspiring pilot, but my friend just asked me this question and I didnt know how to respond, have you ever gotten denied entry into a country/had migration issues during your trips? if so what happened? did you have to fly back to your country of origin on the next flight?

Im really worried that I am going to waste all of my money on flight training and not be able to find a job because of my height, so I really need to know which specific airlines would allow people with my height. I really want to be a commercial pilot. Ive heard there are adjustable seats in cockpits and if you can get all the controls in a piper warrior then you should be fine, but please anyone help. Thank you!

We're talking very first experience here, discovery flight type stuff.

I had my discovery flight a couple days ago and was way more terrified than I expected to be, and it also upset my stomach (didn't throw up but felt queasy during the whole flight and for an hour after landing) and gave me a nasty headache. I've only been in the air twice in my life, the first time was a ride at an air show in a small plane, similar to the one I flew in my discovery flight, and I had the same reaction then. Never flown commercial before.

Super disappointing because I've had an interest in planes and becoming a pilot for years. Guess I expected it to be exhilarating and like I would feel at home in the cockpit, fulfilling my calling - perhaps that was quite naive of me, or maybe that's the experience most pilots have. I'm unsure whether I should continue to put myself through this in hopes that I'll get used to it eventually; I'm sure I would, but not sure how long it would take.

Wondering if any seasoned pilots or folks who gave up on being a pilot want to weigh in here. Did you have a similar experience your first time flying? Any motion sickness or severe anxiety? Did you decide it wasn't for you and throw in the towel, or push through it until it got better? How long did it take before the fear and/or sickness subsided?

Thanks for any and all input :)

Hey everyone my co host and I have a podcast called Banned From Therapy (BFT). BFT is a mental health podcast specifically for people in regulated careers (military, aviation, EMS, fire fighters, police, and other careers of this nature of having strict physical and mental regulations). We’ll be talking about topics like disclosure anxiety, pros and cons of joining, ptsd and other topics.

We are looking for people to share their background and stories about mental health, policy’s, disclosing things in your field etc. If you’d like be anonymous we can make that happen just let us know.

Our Criteria:
- must either know someone in a regulated career as defined above or be in one yourself.

- 18 years or older

- know what you share is up to your discretion and it may be read on the internet posted on Spotify etc. we are not liable for any backlash. We will attempt to remove as much personal identity info for you as possible but ultimately if you’re super worried this is your responsibility.

- let us know whether you’d like us to speak with you over the phone or just read what you submit on here. Happy to do both and have people talk on our podcast!