I'm an airline pilot and mother. AMA

[Down3Greens]

Since previous threads seem to be by either male pilots or their wives, here's a chance to ask about the female perspective on things. I'm a long-time MN poster (name changed for this) who is mother to 2 children and periodically put on my work hat to fly a Boeing 777 to somewhere far away. It's a massive juggling act but I can't imagine it being any other way. I would almost certainly be sacked from any job that doesn't involve me being kept well away from other people most of the time!

People do seem to be fascinated by the idea of women in a cockpit, much more so than men. So go ahead and ask me anything.

I would prefer to keep the confidentiality of the famous people I've flown around, but I have flown some very, very famous people places. Some have been lovely, and others have needed someone (not me) to bring them down to earth and tell them they are not all that!

Places I don't like to go to are topped by countries that have dubious attitudes toward women. I flew into Saudi Arabia with another female pilot many years before the photo of the Bahraini all female crew was circulated round the press. Last time I went there I ended up having a bit of an argument over whether I was suitably dressed. (Long trousers, long loose blouse and a long scarf.) Iran and Nigeria don't feature on my trip request list ever either, although I have never been to either country. I tend not to bid for the US, as I find the cities all a bit samey - we tend to stay in chain hotels there next to shopping malls, although there are some notable exceptions. I like Seattle and San Fran. There are certain places on our network which have very long journey times too and from the airport. This tends to put me off. I like to either relax completely and sit in a nice hotel room, paint my nails and read a book, or to be a complete tourist. I've seen some amazing places, and believe you should take the opportunity to get out and see stuff in case you never come that way again. Which is how I find myself doing things like tobogganing down the Great Wall of China at 2am UK time or wearing an Olympic medal at a medal-winners' party in Rio. Grab every opportunity. Or lay on a beach and snooze

I have never had a single issue from a cabin crew member regarding me being female. (I did once have an issue with one who didn't like the fact that I was younger than him but in a position of greater authority on the flight, but hey, I'll get older but he won't get any less bitter!) In 20 years I have only ever had 2 sexist pilots, and I told them both so. Most pilots take the opinion that having passed all the exams, as one put it, 'you are one of the fooking lads!' Which is handy. So many people on MN seem to get het up about pilots all being serial philanderers, but so few people know about the bunks.... We sleep there, that's all. And I trust my fellow pilots both male and female to allow me to sleep beside them in quite a cramped space without anything untoward happening. The cabin crew are very much the same in their bunks, although I am led to believe there is a lot more nudity up there! I get into my plane PJs behind my bunk curtain.

Thanks for your detailed response. So interesting.

So interesting. I’m terrified of flying. Already dreading my holiday this year. So it’s fascinating that you are so relaxed about it. My nightmare job I’m afraid!

Thank you! This is my favourite.

This is really facisnating, thank you! It's also a shame people couldn't see the point of the other spouse thread - I found it really helpful seeing what life is like when a spouse is away so much as my partner is also looking at becoming a pilot. Completely dismissing a person simply because they're trying to describe what their life is like is really depressing.

Best AMA so far, thank you for taking the time to answer.

My flight home from holiday yesterday had a female captain.

So given you said "I trust my fellow pilots both male and female to allow me to sleep beside them in quite a cramped space without anything untoward happening' - you're not both sleeping at the same time, right?

Found the pilots wife thread very interesting. It would seem a lot of support is given behind the scenes and life is certainly not as easy as people would assume. I’ve come across a few female pilots on some of my travels. Tbh i wouldn’t give it a second thought. Shame you haven’t much support from your DP. It sounds as though you have it all going on OP. Must be very hard to juggle it all

Do you fly a certain plane all the time and are just given the destination and time/date or is it a case of - these are the flights next week, you will be flying x plane to x place?

Do you have a favourite plane?

Do you worry about terrorists on your flight?

Do you stay awake the whole flight when it's long haul or does your co pilot take over while you nap?

(Sorry if these questions are stupid, I've only ever flown a handful of times)

Awesome thread thanks

Great thread OP, thank you!

I've always wondered - how do you know what every single button and switch does? I know I sound so dense. But everytime I've seen a cockpit it seems so intimidating and mind blowing that someone uses them on a day to day basis - Do you use every single one or is it a case of some get used pretty much all the time?

Also, I'm a police officer - if something kicked off on a plane, do crew ask if there's any police on the plane like they might a doctor or do you just deal with it yourselves? Obviously I'd be happy to get involved, just wondered!

How much do you earn?

Have you ever had to intervene with a panicked flight phobic passenger? Or does cabin crew always deal with it? Any reassuring words for a slightly flight phobic person?