Emirates pilot shares how much they can make in a year and perks of the job
If you've ever fancied yourself as a pilot, picking the brains of someone who has already done it is a good idea.
But if captains are in short supply in your area, luckily for you, this bloke who flies planes for Emirates has lifted the lid on what it's really like in the cockpit.
Richard Vellinga has spent the last six years working for the world's fourth-largest airline, safely shuttling passengers through the skies from one destination to another.
His job is obviously a lot different from your standard nine-to-five, mainly due to the fact that he has the lives of hundreds of people onboard the plane in his hands.
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But apart from the fact he's got that weighty responsibility resting on his shoulders, Vellinga loves his profession - especially due to the perks and his pay cheques.
How much can Emirates pilots make in a year?
The pilot, who flies a Boeing 777, revealed how much people who fly planes for a living can earn each year.
He explained that the exact amount varies between airlines and depending on what role you play in the cockpit, but with Emirates, you can rake in a decent amount of dough.
According to Vellinga, first officers, also known as co-pilots, can pocket between $7,000 (£5,710) and $9,000 (£7,340) per month, tax-free.
Speaking from his own experience, the pilot told Business Insider that this tots up to around $84,000 (£68,530) a year, at minimum.
Vellinga claimed that captains can take home between $11,000 (£8,970) and $13,000 (£10,610) a month, meaning they are taking home at least $132,000 (£107,700) annually.
The more years of flight experience you have, the more you can earn, the pilot said.
Vellinga explained that you can also bank some extra cash if you meet certain targets, as he claimed Emirates pilots earn a bonus for every 'block hour' they get above their monthly minimum flying target.
This term refers to the time it takes from the moment the door of an aircraft closes at the departure gate to opening at the arrival gate after the journey.
Co-pilots can secure around $145 (£118), while pilots can pocket $200 (£163) for achieving this, according to Vellinga.
So essentially, if a captain has fulfilled their monthly minimum but then picks up an eight-hour 'block' trip, then they can earn another $1,600. Not bad, eh?
Emirates employee benefits
There are also a few perks which come with being a pilot which make the role even more rewarding, Vellinga said.
Emirates employees are offered 'other allowances to complement pilot basic salaries', such as medical coverage, a housing allowance, profit-sharing and an education allowance for dependents.
Vellinga explained that the UAE-based airline also sends its flying staff off in style.
"We also enjoy chauffeur-driven transport to and from work, and laundry services," Vellinga grinned, before revealing they also get some travel freebies too.
He said pilots can get discounted flight tickets or upgrades for themselves, their friends and family, or sometimes even a free plane ticket.
"Our most recent vacation with benefits was to Tenerife in the Canary Islands," Vellinga said. "We spent a week exploring the islands and had a wonderful time."
However, the pilot did admit that people in his profession can struggle with the 'frequent time-zone changes and being away from family'.
He explained that Emirates pilots have to be adaptable to cope with this, although they do get 42 days of annual leave to recuperate, while they also enjoy at least eight days off a month.
LADbible has contacted Emirates for comment.
Olivia Burke