Aircraft pilots check equipment and controls before takeoff. By law, airline pilots cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year. Most airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours a month and work an additional 120 hours a month performing nonflying duties. The majority of flights involve layovers away from home. When pilots are away from home, the airlines provide hotel accommodations, transportation between the hotel and airport, and an allowance for expenses.
Airlines operate flights at all hours of the day and night, so work schedules often are irregular.
Based on seniority, pilots generally have a choice of flights. Because these pilots frequently have many nonflying responsibilities, they have much less free time than airline pilots. Except for business pilots, most pilots employed outside the airlines do not remain away from home overnight. They may work odd hours, because emergencies happen round the clock. In addition, pilots working as instructors often give lessons at night or on weekends.