Airline pilot Full Time RV

Bakerstirregular, unfortunately I am running into the same problems. I'm, at least, a year out before making the transition. Part of that is findind a job that would allow me to be home based. I would think cargo companies could be a perfect fit such as ATI (if you ignore their salary) with being home based and a schedule that allows traveling. I know there is a netjets couple, a pilot and flight attendant, that full time RVs. Sorry, I can not be more help but it seems very doable with sacrifices.

And thank you everyone for your input. I much rather try to solve potential problems before I'm too deep into this adeventure!

Have fun finding somewhere affordable/available in SoCal in the winter.

The park that I am at does not allow unattended RVs overnight. I can only imagine that it is the result of "What If..." scenarios - your RV, your neighbor's RV...

Hi,

I am still an aspiring RVer and can't give you any advice for now, but I was hoping you could help answer a question for me, since you're looking into this lifestyle and you're also a pilot.

My boyfriend and I are excited about the idea of RVing full time, or as close as possible, but he is a pilot who flies cargo right now, and we aren't sure how we could make it work with longer trips given his profession.

Any advice you have on the kind of flying that would allow you to be a bit more mobile from the ground would be great!

Thanks,
Sarah

Bgarrett33 wrote:
Hey everyone,

I have done enough research to say I am very excited about the prospect of Full time RVing. I was hoping to get some opinions of experienced RVers about the specific problems I might have from being a pilot.

While still in the first phase of research and saving money I'm currently considering a small TT and would try to stay in one spot for a few months before moving. The major issue would be leaving the trailer for 3-4 days a week while working. I would try to chase the good weather but I assume I still might have to combat freezing pipes. If I was hooked up I assume I could use electric heat but that would be expensive to alway have to be hooked up. I, admittedly, don't know enough To ask question about other issues that might come up- any information is welcome.

Thanks for your time and inspiration!





Brad

Just keep in mind that Autopilot and Cruise Control two very different things. :B

If staying on vacant land and trying to transport your waste water to a dump station, that would be extremely difficult unless you used a macerator into a stationary tank in the truck bed and then maceratored it into the dump station.

You wouldn't be driving very far pulling a portable tank. They are meant for campground use, not long distance.

The best thing to do in freezing temps if you leave for days would be to winterize the RV and that would prove to be real drudgery. Good luck!

Thank you all for such great replies!

Tom/barb blue skies from the airways to the highways!

The big attraction of full time RVing would be to get out of the Pittsburgh area and see our country. I would try to stay out of the freezing temperatures as much as possible but want to be prepared and have a game plan if I'm stuck in freezing temperatures and would have to leave the trailer.

The bear, pconroy darsben and coolmom your suggestions definitely made it into my notebook of research. Sounds like a quick winterization would be the best bet. I've watched a few "how-to" videos on YouTube and seems very doable as part of a going to work checklist.

Stew - good point. I would only come back this way during the nicer seasons. I can see where some advanced planning would be beneficial in some areas.

Pghbob,I definitely want to hear about obstacles I might face! I do love Pittsburgh but the goal is to get west. Montana in the summer and south California in the winter sounds too good to pass up.

Old-biscuit - I think I would end up leaving the RV on camp grounds without hook ups. I also read that people will let RVs stay on their land for a small fee without hook ups. Dumping water could be an issue but I also read they have portable tanks you can transfer your waste water into...then take it to a dump station. I would be able to commute to work for nearly any airport with airline service.


I appreciate everyone taking time to post..thank you. Cheers!

Where are you going to leave your RV when working?

Not familiar with 'pilots' schedules but do you fly out of same airport or does that change based on needs???

Heard that some airports have RV facilities for staff/crew on site...have you looked into that option?


RVs plumbing systems have to be kept warm in winter or drained and winterized
Keeping them warm requires use of RV Furnace (or lots of space heaters and tank heaters)
Otherwise frozen pipes/busted water heater/broken waste tank drain lines-valves etc
Keeping a RV warm is costly...high propane usage or high electric


Contrary to belief RV Full Time Living is NOT camping..it requires upkeep, routine maintenance, diligence and is NOT that much less expensive then apartment living. Especially when one does so in the winter

Welcome! From one Pittsburgher to another. Let me say a few things that you might not want to hear. If you are planning to full-time and live in your RV in this area, in the winter, I think you will run into trouble. Others have posted about the temps dropping into the teens a bit, but you know and I know that it is not unusual for temps to drop below zero here, and there have been times that for an entire month it has not gone over 20 degrees. RVs are not well insulated and they get cold, fast.

If you want heat, you have a couple of options. Stay at a campground, if any are open, and hook up to electric and run small heaters. Or, stay somewhere without hookups, and run your generator all night, to power the electric heaters. This is noisy and eats gas. Or, use the RV on board furnace to heat your rig. The furnace usually burns propane and eats it up in gobs, and you need charged house batteries to control the furnace or thermostat. By morning, your house batteries will likely be drained pretty low. So, you need to charge them up somehow.

Then, there is maintaining the black and gray tanks, and dumping your waste in cold temps. What do you do if the valves freeze? Not pleasant.

Finally, given your profession, I want to make sure you get a good nights sleep. I don't want you to be cold, tired, and miserable if you flying the next day.
Sorry to be a downer, but I think I told it how it is.

Best wishes, Bob

Welcome! If you will be staying near Pittsburgh in the warmer months there maybe some competition from gas and oil workers. They've taken up a lot of spots in eastern Ohio as well. Don't let that discourage you though. If I was a pilot I'd definitely full time. Go stay in areas you like! lol I'd stay in places where the chances of freezing are none!