Airline Pilots?

[kayoh190]

I became an airline pilot at age five. In fact, I still have my plastic United wings.

My parents probably have those same wings for me. Took a United 727 flight with my folks when I was less than a year old and got a set of wings. I know they're still on the first page of my baby scrapbook - should have them dig it out and take a photo.

 

[Palmpilot]

It's not that you're being picked on, but most of us are held to a standard where political activism is not tolerated - and by the way many of us (in fact probably most of us) dislike that.

His "ejection handle" got pulled, so he's not likely to see your post.

 

[Sluggo63]

Thanks man. The sleep is definitely something that could be an issue - we'll see how well my body adjusts to it. The good news is I'll be coming in at about 40% in the seat, so I should have the bidding power to play around with the kind of flying I do to come up with the best fit. Worst case my body can't adapt and I'll go back to narrowbody in 2 years, but based on what 99% of guys tell me, that's not going to happen.

I'd say the biggest advice I can give you as a long-haul guy is if you can keep some control on your (1) diet and (2) exercise on the road, you'll be way ahead.

Now, this is a more of a "do as I say and not as I do" kinda thing, because the diet control somehow seems to elude me. I don't know how it is for you guys, but we're catered with so much food that it becomes very tempting to eat out of boredom during the flight. I try to avoid that at all costs. I also try to order my meals (we can select our catering) when I'm feeling good and healthy, that way I choose salads and fish rather than Corky's BBQ and chocolate cake.

I do better with exercise. For me it's more enjoyable to go our for a run in these foreign cities if, for nothing else, the scenery is beautiful/different. I'm not a gym rat, but I'll try to get a 3-5 mile run in at least every other day on the road.

It's still a constant battle with my belt buckle, but right now we're at at impasse. Hopefully I can start gaining some ground soon.

Enjoy the world of long-haul flying, and enjoy the Triple. Once you get used to that ECL, you'll never want to use a paper checklist again.

 

[kayoh190]

I'd say the biggest advice I can give you as a long-haul guy is if you can keep some control on your (1) diet and (2) exercise on the road, you'll be way ahead.

Now, this is a more of a "do as I say and not as I do" kinda thing, because the diet control somehow seems to elude me. I don't know how it is for you guys, but we're catered with so much food that it becomes very tempting to eat out of boredom during the flight. I try to avoid that at all costs. I also try to order my meals (we can select our catering) when I'm feeling good and healthy, that way I choose salads and fish rather than Corky's BBQ and chocolate cake.

I do better with exercise. For me it's more enjoyable to go our for a run in these foreign cities if, for nothing else, the scenery is beautiful/different. I'm not a gym rat, but I'll try to get a 3-5 mile run in at least every other day on the road.

It's still a constant battle with my belt buckle, but right now we're at at impasse. Hopefully I can start gaining some ground soon.

Enjoy the world of long-haul flying, and enjoy the Triple. Once you get used to that ECL, you'll never want to use a paper checklist again.

Very much appreciate the advice!

 

[Oldmanb777]

My crash pad had a nice gym in the garage. Most of the hotels would let me use the gym (if I was quiet) during off hours when I couldn't sleep. Getting excersize is a very big part of flying, and an even bigger part of international flying. You just can't keep up the stamina with out it.