For most people on board, long-haul flights consist of wearing a sleep mask, watching movies or TV shows, and trying to pass the time. However, for the pilots flying the plane, their experience is quite different. Contrary to popular belief, pilots have a lot more to do in the skies after switching to autopilot. In fact, one pilot decided to use TikTok to set the record straight.
In response to a confused TikToker who questioned what pilots do during an 18-hour flight, such as Singapore to New York, airline pilot Gary Baumgardner shared his insights with his 240,700 followers. Based at LAX, Gary explained that it’s not entirely accurate to say that pilots just take off and land. He wanted to clear up any misconceptions and shed light on what pilots actually do in the skies.
In his viral video, Gary, who had just completed an almost 18-hour shift, addressed the misconceptions. He humorously commented that people think pilots are like Homer Simpson, with a big button to push called the autopilot, and they do nothing. However, he clarified that the autopilot is just a tool, similar to how a bat is a tool for a Major League Baseball player when they want to hit a home run.
Gary gave an example to emphasize his point. If they are flying during a thunderstorm, the autopilot cannot automatically navigate them out of it. When Air Traffic Control instructs them to climb, descend, or turn, the autopilot cannot do it on its own. The pilots have to take control and make those adjustments manually.
According to Gary, pilots have numerous responsibilities. They have to complete logs, take Air Traffic Control calls, and perform system checks, among other tasks. And that’s just during normal situations without any emergencies or abnormalities. He mentioned that pilots are given breaks when there are at least three pilots on board, usually lasting between 2-3 hours.
Another misconception Gary addressed was regarding pilots’ sleeping arrangements. He assured his followers that pilots do get to sleep during long flights. He revealed that on an 18-hour flight, there are usually four pilots, and they have their own beds and bunk beds on board. They also have time to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, although the order may be adjusted due to time differences.
For flights without rest bunks, Gary mentioned that pilots can reserve a first-class seat to rest in and get some sleep. He clarified that there are always two pilots at the controls, and breaks are only given when there are at least three pilots available. The duration of breaks depends on the number of crew members and the length of the flight, typically ranging from 2-3 hours.
Since the TikTok video was posted, it has garnered nearly four million views and attracted thousands of comments from intrigued users. Gary confirmed to MailOnline that flying longer flights is actually more efficient with regard to time and pay, in his opinion. However, not all pilots share this viewpoint, as many prefer shorter flights.
Overall, the TikTok video helped dispel misunderstandings about pilots’ roles during long-haul flights. People expressed their appreciation for the demanding job of pilots and were glad to have their misconceptions cleared up. Some even found it amusing to imagine sitting next to a pilot enjoying a first-class seat.
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