Hello all, I am looking into starting at ATP but wanted to get insight from the woman pilots, I understand that the main goal would be to get with a major airline and stay to gain seniority and become captain. That being said I am currently 34 and have a few questions in regards. How was your experience once you began working and about how long did it take to reach captain? Was there any issues of being overlohoked because you were a woman? Are the pay rates actually equal between male and females with the same qualifications? If any of you are mothers, how did you deal with having to balance work/life especially at the beginning when putting in your time to go up the ladder(gain seniority)? Thank you and any words of advice are welcome!
Theresa,
First, women get the same protections and pay. It’s written in the contract and doesn’t specify gender. To do so would be gender discrimination and highly illegal. You have the right to bid any fleet or seat if you have the seniority to do so.
I am currently a First officer at United. I had the opportunity to upgrade to captain as soon as I got off probation (1 year with the airline) however I chose not to. Seniority is everything when it comes to quality of life. Being on the most junior fleet in the junior seat I can best maximize my seniority. At just shy of 2 years with the company, I am currently 60% on the 737 where if I upgraded to captain I would be 99% and would see very little movement for a long time.
I don’t have children yet but it is in my plan for the next 5 years. With that being said, having the most control over my schedule and maximizing my time at home are my biggest priorities. I’m much more likely to achieve those things with 60% seniority holding a line than 99% on reserve.
Keep in mind being an airline captain is a great goal but getting paid to fly airplanes and have a great quality of life can be a great life too. I still want to upgrade at some point but most likely at a time when I can maintain a similar quality of life from the left seat which will take time.
Hannah
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Thank you for that information Hannah, it was very helpful! I’m hoping to be able to get started soon once I figure out my financial situation. Thanks again!