Plane Answers: Are pilots more likely to divorce?

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Hi Kent,

Things seem to be a bit different in Europe, schedule-wise. Pilots here, especially with budget airlines, tend to be home every night barring technical or operational difficulties. For example, Ryanair has a 5 on/4 off schedule which means 5 days of flying either early or late shifts where you go home at the end of the day and then 4 days off. Probably better for family life but I am sure the pilots/cabin crew would appreciate a good time on a layover every so often!

The only airlines that regularly overnight seem to be national or legacy airlines, and the odd charter operator. Even most national airlines don't overnight much now - Aer Lingus pilots have 4 overnights a month which are almost always in London or Ireland (last time I heard) and British Airways is the only one I know of(though there may be more of course) that still operate 3-5 day "tours" for short haul pilots unlike airlines in the US, where I gather it is the norm.

Thought that might be a helpful afterthought.

Dave

9-08-2008 @ 3:20PM

Kent Wien said...

Thanks Dave,

I hadn't realized that Ryanair and others rarely overnighted in Europe.

I'd love to be home every night, but you're right, I think I'd miss the layovers as well.

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