An unusual lifestyle is that of an airline pilot.
Frequently, while it's still chilly and dark outside, our alarms sound in the wee hours of the morning.
Only milk delivery services are on the roads, so we scrape the ice off our cars and drive to work.
Sometimes we spend the whole day at home and nap in the afternoon before leaving for work at a time when most others are heading home.
Even when we're gone, strange things keep happening.
We may invest a significant amount of time in hotels, depending on the type of flying we do.
Depending on the airline we work for and the sort of trip we are flying, the amount of time spent in hotels might vary from 12 hours to occasionally a week or more.
Most of the time after we exit the plane, we are free to do as we like with the remaining time before we must return to the airport.
Many people choose their profession because it gives them the chance to travel the world, see exotic locales, engage with diverse cultures, and sample exotic cuisine.
Sleeping
For passenger safety, airline crews primarily stay in hotels all around the world.
No of the type of work you do, you are unavoidably exhausted after a long day at the office.
This fatigue is considerably more pronounced if you were up early or had to travel through the night.
Therefore, the main goal is to make sure that the crew members are well rested for the return flight, regardless of other activities they engage in during their time off.
The task would be simple if all you had to do was check into your hotel room and go to sleep for an extended period of time.
Unfortunately, the truth is rather different.
It's difficult enough to manage with the early beginnings, long days, nights out of bed, and irregular midday naps on their own.
It can be very challenging to fall asleep when we need to when jet lag, body clock synchrony, and other factors are involved.
Do you ever get used to jet lag? This is the common question people ask me when they learn I'm a pilot.
I'll always be quite front with them and tell them that while we never get used to it, we all manage to deal with it in our own unique ways.
There is no magic cure to completely get rid of it.
Some pilots merely go to bed when they are exhausted and eat when they are hungry.
It's great if it works for them, but I can't say the same for me.
Being attentive and awake when you need to be (for takeoff and landing) and tired and asleep when you need to be is especially important for long-haul flights (home, hotel, and inflight rest).
As a result, scheduling when I sleep is crucial.
I always consider my return travel before a trip to determine how much sleep I will need to prepare.
I'll try to get a few hours of sleep before leaving the hotel if the flight from the United States is going to be delayed.
I'll get very little sleep the night before if I have an early start in India so that I'm exhausted and able to fall asleep by evening.
I make an effort to eat and sleep at the appropriate times.
I then finish the following tasks to guarantee that I'm exhausted and prepared to go to bed when I need to.
Exercising
Exercise is the best strategy to guarantee that you sleep well in my opinion (and that of many experts).
Pilots spend a lot of time sitting down at their jobs.
We are usually dozing off in the crew rest area if we aren't seated in our seats on the flight deck.
So, after a 14-hour workday, we might have only completed 2,000 steps.
The versatility of the work, especially with long-distance travel, is one of its most attractive features.
It's okay to use the gym, but you can also benefit from the fitness choices available wherever you're staying.
You can rent a bike and ride down the beach if you're staying in Los Angeles.
You can go windsurfing in the Caribbean, or you may run through Central Park in New York, depending on where you are.
Whatever it is, getting out of my room and exercising helps me to feel weary when I need to and get a good night's sleep when I do.
Exploring
Flying to different locations and seeing them in your free time is one of the best perks of the work.
In addition to being excellent for the mind, walking around a new place all day is a terrific way to burn some calories.
When I need to sleep before the flight home, sightseeing makes sure I'm exhausted.
I usually research the must-see locations before I arrive in a city when I'm visiting it for the first time, and then I make a schedule to see as many of them as I can in the time I have.
If this only lasts a few hours, I'll try to plan a walking and public transportation itinerary that is both quick and effective.
I can spread out the activities if I'm staying at the location for a few days, perhaps spending a full day in one place before moving on the next day.
Whatever I decide to undertake, research is essential, especially when it comes to safety.
Because there are dangers in all large cities, I always talk to the hotel personnel, let them know my plans, and get their advice.
The well-traveled tourist routes are usually acceptable, but if you wish to go farther off the beaten path, you should use caution.
In one European city, I ran my itinerary by the concierge, who warned me against taking one of the routes I had highlighted since there was a possibility that I would be pursued by packs of dogs.
Without a doubt, I was appreciative of his counsel and decided to take his recommended course.
Eating
I enjoy eating.
One of the many highlights of travel is this.
What better opportunity to engage in this interest than while off-site for business?
Consider the locals' suggestions and exercise caution while choosing where to eat.
In the past, it was forbidden for two pilots to share food while they were in the air, just in case the meals were tainted and both of them became sick.
But several airlines have eased this requirement in recent years due to the excellent levels of sanitation at aircraft catering establishments.
However, before a flight, pilots may eat local food, and they should be aware of the risks of getting food poisoning from that.
There are easy precautions consumers may take to lower the risk even though it's impossible to completely rule out instances of food poisoning.
The most frequent action is to use extreme caution when drinking water.
Most airlines make sure that the hotels where their crew stays have bottled water available for them to drink throughout their stay.
I always exercise extreme caution while venturing outside the hotel when it comes to where I purchase food and beverages as well as what I eat in the days leading up to the return trip.
This doesn't imply that I don't immerse myself in the regional culinary scene, because I most definitely do.
But I'm always aware of my surroundings and how any bad eating choices can impact my return travel.
Attending events
Another benefit of employment is the opportunity to go to events all around the world without having to pay for airfare, hotel, and event ticket alone.
Why not take advantage of the opportunity to watch a sporting event or attend a concert if the trip and hotel are already paid for?
Many pilots make an effort to organize their flying schedules around the events they are passionate about.
Being able to attend some of the biggest athletic events in the world while traveling on business always feels like a massive win, whether it's going to the F1 in Singapore, seeing an NFL game in Los Angeles, or going to a rugby match in South Africa.
Of course, this requires careful planning and frequently leads to enormous disappointment.
To get on a specific aircraft to the correct city at the right time for an event, a crew member may trade travels with a coworker, only to discover the flight has been canceled owing to a technical issue.
Side hustles
Since they typically have more free time than typical office workers, many pilots also have side jobs they can accomplish while on the road.
With Wi-Fi available in every hotel and data roaming on our phones, keeping up with a side business while traveling is now simpler than ever.
The prospects to make some additional money are endless when you have access to the internet, and they don't always include the aviation industry.
Pilots come from a variety of backgrounds, and many have previous work experience in other fields.
As a result, I've come across pilots who work in industries including software, interior design, coaching sports, real estate, and the development of physical properties.
Another approach to keep your mind active and make sure your body is weary when it's time to sleep before your journey home is to take a side job.
Relaxing
Taking some time to oneself just to sit around and do nothing can sometimes be the best feeling in the world.
With busy family schedules at home, being able to wake up whenever you want and not have to worry about getting the kids to school or the dog for a walk is a wonderful perk.
Even though I tend to be fairly active while I'm traveling, it might be relaxing to spend the morning in bed reading or watching Netflix.
I might treat myself to a massage in the hotel spa in the evening, order room service, and then go to bed early.
In conclusion
The hotel stay helps guarantee that the flight crew and pilots will be well-rested for the return journey.
It is entirely up to each crew member to decide how to spend their free time in a way that suits their individual needs.
Spending as little time in the hotel as possible is, in my opinion, the best method to guarantee that I'm tired when I need to be.
I'll get up, work out in the hotel gym, and then spend the rest of the day touring the place.
No matter how many times I visit a city, there is always a new neighborhood I want to explore or a favorite spot I want to revisit.
I set alarms to wake up at strategic times and then either watch TV or read if the weather isn't suitable for spending the day outside.
I'm able to control my fatigue in this way, giving myself the best chance to sleep before the flight home.
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