Pilot and ATC hours?

Question

I'm looking into flight school to become a professional pilot, or getting a degree for air traffic control. I wanted to know what the typical hours are like for ATC, and commercial or private pilots. Do you have to be on call as a pilot? Are you home on weekends?

Answer 1

So, you are unaware that on the weekends there are still planes in the air.   Ok.. that notwithstanding, anytime you are looking into a career choice, you can simply forget the questions you asked.

If you want to be off on weekends, and you don't want to be on call, choose something with a much lower level of responsibility.   But you'll have to choose something that doesn't do business on the weekend.

Check the local banks in your area.    

That should help.

Answer 2

Its all about seniority.  You will most definately be on call as a pilot.  Your first few months or even years with each new job or promition will be spend with your ready bag packed for a week long trip packed in your trunk.  

Controllers work all shifts 24/7.

The basic way of looking at it is commercial pilots fly at day and cargo at night.  Controllers rotate schedules

As a pilot you know when you'll be in bed each day, but as a controller you know you'll be in your own bed when you get to hit the sack.

Answer 3

flight operations are ongoing,   aviation is a 24/7 field.  there may be cargo carriers that only operate Mon- Fri but many of those carriers operate at night.