The Early Years Are the Most Demanding

The first few years of a pilot's career are usually the busiest. Before joining an airline, aspiring pilots must complete their flight training, obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), pass DGCA examinations, meet medical requirements, and build the required flying hours.

Once hired by an airline, new pilots undergo type rating training, simulator sessions, line training, and recurrent checks. During this phase, work schedules are often unpredictable. New pilots generally have less control over their monthly rosters because seniority plays a major role in airline scheduling.