In 2011, 638 million passengers traveled on airplanes in the United States. That number is expected to jump to 642 million by the end of 2012, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics. On these airline flights and on commercial flights, airplane captains transport passengers and cargo to destinations across the country. Most airplane captains in the U.S. work as co-pilots for 10 years or more before they are promoted.
Airplane captains come from various backgrounds. Some become commercial pilots after service in the military, while others complete flight school programs or receive training from a Federal Aviation Administration-certified instructor. Most airline companies in the United States only hire applicants with at least two years of college. Pilots train for six to eight weeks after they're hired and must complete additional training once or twice a year to remain employed.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that pilots fly an average of 75 hours every month and spend approximately 150 hours more per month on nonflight duties. Airline companies assign flight routes by seniority: captains with the most experience are the first to select their preferred routes, as well as the days and times they would like to fly. Captains may be away from their homes for days, especially if they fly overseas. Airline companies reimburse captains for hotel, transportation, food, and related expenses.
Responsibilities and Duties
An airplane captain's first responsibility is the safety of the aircraft, passengers, crew and cargo. Before each flight the captain, along with an airline flight dispatcher and meteorologist, makes a flight plan that covers fuel supply, aircraft weight, weather, route and alternate destination. Prior to taking off, the pilot checks that the plane is working properly, briefs crew members, verifies takeoff procedures, and receives takeoff permission from air traffic control. In flight, the pilot, with the assistance of the co-pilot, or first officer, and any additional cockpit crew needed performs most of functions necessary to fly the plan to the destination and completes a report upon landing.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial airplane pilots in the U.S. earned an average of $76,050 in 2011. The BLS predicts employment for commercial airplane pilots will show an increase of 11 percent between 2010 and 2020. In 2012, the mandatory age for retirement increased from 60 to age 65, decreasing the number of promotions for co-pilots. A February 2012 Bloomberg.com article, "China Lures U.S. Pilots Tired of 14-Year Wait for Airline Captain’s Seat," predicts that a growing number of American co-pilots will accept captain positions in China and other countries as a result of the long wait for promotions in the U.S.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011: Commercial Pilots
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics: Transtats: Airline Activity: National Summary (U.S. Flights)
- Bloomberg: China Lures U.S. Pilots Tired of 14-year Wait for Airline Captain's Seat
- The Street: UPS, FedEx Tops in Pilot Pay
- AVjobs.com: In Flight Pilot Airline Captain
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