The Hayden Teteak Show

What is life as an airline pilot actually like? From flight school to senior airline captain, we’re exploring pilot pay, airline schedules, commuting, and the lifestyle trade-offs at every stage of a pilot career.I’m Hayden Teteak, a regional airline first officer and former flight instructor. Getting paid to fly a jet is pretty incredible—but a bigger paycheck doesn’t always mean a better schedule. Sometimes a promotion means more money, more responsibility, and a bunk bed near your new base.In this video, we cover:• Flight training, becoming a flight instructor, and building flight hours• Flight instructor pay and the reality of getting your first flying job• Regional airline first officer pay, airline training, and reserve schedules• How commuting and airline seniority affect your time at home• Captain upgrades and the tradeoff between higher pay and schedule control• Moving from a regional airline to a major airline• Life as a major airline first officer and senior captainThe pay comparisons use example rates, and the hypothetical schedules show how different career choices can affect your life.Whether you’re a student pilot, working toward an airline career, or simply curious about what pilots do beyond the cockpit, this is an honest look at the money, freedom, uncertainty, and memorable moments along the way.Would you take a $50,000 raise if it meant commuting and losing the weekends you wanted? Tell me in the comments.Subscribe for honest aviation career advice, flight training insights, and life as an airline pilot.#AirlinePilot #PilotLife #Aviation━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✈️ MORE FROM HAYDENSubscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter Onehttps://youtu.be/3W3n2l9mook💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITYA place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4T🌎 CONNECTWebsite → https://www.haydenteteak.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteakLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak📩 BUSINESS [email protected] MEI’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible.The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.

Can you become an airline pilot after failing a checkride? I failed my commercial single-engine and CFI checkrides—and still became an airline pilot. Here’s what happened when those failures came up in my airline interview.I busted eights on pylons on my commercial checkride and lazy eights on my certified flight instructor checkride. Both failures happened during the flying portion, and I passed both on the second attempt. But in the moment? Flying home, ignoring the texts asking how it went, and wondering whether I was cut out for this was pretty rough.In this video, I share:✈️ What went wrong on both checkrides✈️ How I prepared for the retests and changed my approach to flight training✈️ What happened when I disclosed the failures on my airline application and in the interview✈️ How to explain a checkride failure honestly and take responsibility✈️ How those experiences changed the way I prepared my own studentsIf you’re a student pilot worried about a checkride, a flight instructor carrying a past failure, or a pilot preparing for airline interviews, I hope my experience helps you figure out your next step. Every hiring situation is different, but my two failures weren’t the end of my story.You don’t have to figure out your whole airline career tonight.What’s one lesson from flight training you wish you’d learned sooner? Share it in the comments.Subscribe to Hayden Teteak for honest conversations about flight training, becoming an airline pilot, and life along the way.#Checkride #FlightTraining #AirlinePilot━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✈️ MORE FROM HAYDENSubscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter Onehttps://youtu.be/3W3n2l9mook💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITYA place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4T🌎 CONNECTWebsite → https://www.haydenteteak.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteakLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak📩 BUSINESS [email protected] MEI’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible.The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.

Becoming an airline pilot was harder than I expected. From my first discovery flight to flying the CRJ, this is my honest story of flight training, uncertainty, and why the journey was worth it.Before I was an airline pilot, I was working overnight shifts at FedEx in Indianapolis, watching other pilots climb into the airplanes I dreamed of flying. That moment pushed me to finish my private pilot license and start working toward a career in aviation.What followed was demanding training at ATP Flight School, earning my instrument rating and commercial pilot certificate, becoming a certified flight instructor (CFI), and working long days while driving Uber and Amazon Flex to support myself. Even after receiving an airline job offer, I waited almost 13 months for my class date.In this video, I share the pressure I put on myself, the rewards of teaching others to fly, the challenges of airline training, and the moment I finally realized I had made it.Now, a little over six months into airline pilot life, I’m also sharing what comes after reaching the goal: incredible cockpit sunrises, time away from family and friends, and learning to appreciate the life I worked so hard to build.If you’re wondering how to become an airline pilot, currently working through flight school, or building hours as a flight instructor, I hope my experience helps you keep going—and reminds you to enjoy the stage you’re in.Where are you in your aviation journey? Let me know in the comments.Subscribe to Hayden Teteak for honest conversations about flight training, life as an airline pilot, and the adventures along the way.#AirlinePilot #FlightTraining #pilotlife━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✈️ MORE FROM HAYDENSubscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter Onehttps://youtu.be/3W3n2l9mook💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITYA place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4T🌎 CONNECTWebsite → https://www.haydenteteak.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteakLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak📩 BUSINESS [email protected] MEI’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible.The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.

Airline pilot habits can seem strange to outsiders. I am pulling back the curtain on the oddities of our profession.From our specific way of packing luggage to the realities of long commutes, the aviation career path creates some peculiar behaviors. I have spent enough time in the cockpit to admit that I participate in many of these habits myself, often without even realizing it.This look at the pilot lifestyle goes beyond the uniform and the flight deck. It is a candid conversation about the quirks that come with the job, whether you are a student pilot or just curious about what we actually do between flights.What is the weirdest habit you have noticed in your own career or while traveling? Let me know in the comments. Subscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.Subscribe for honest aviation career advice, flight training insights, and life as an airline pilot.#AirlinePilot #PilotLife #Aviation━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✈️ MORE FROM HAYDENSubscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter Onehttps://youtu.be/3W3n2l9mook💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITYA place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4T🌎 CONNECTWebsite → https://www.haydenteteak.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteakLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak📩 BUSINESS [email protected] MEI’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible.The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.0:00 The peculiar habits of airline pilots0:29 The obsession with hotel room features2:35 The hill I will die on: My favorite suitcase4:37 The insanity of a 3.5 hour commute6:38 Petty opinions about airplane cockpits

How much does an airline pilot actually make?In July, I flew 79 hours, spent 159 hours on duty, stayed in 16 hotels and earned $11,463 in total compensation before taxes and deductions.But that number doesn’t show the complete month: missing fireworks with friends after weather stranded us in Milwaukee, an 18-hour day caused by delays in Fargo, 35 hours commuting to Chicago—and eight consecutive days off that gave me the freedom to visit Florida.In this video, I explain airline pilot pay, credit hours, duty time, per diem and the lifestyle behind the paycheck.The money was real. So was the time away.#AirlinePilot #PilotSalary #PilotLife━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✈️ MORE FROM HAYDENSubscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter Onehttps://youtu.be/3W3n2l9mook💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITYA place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4T🌎 CONNECTWebsite → https://www.haydenteteak.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteakLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak📩 BUSINESS [email protected] MEI’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible.The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.

Can a passenger force a go-around? I am answering real pilot questions from the internet to separate aviation fact from fiction.From the mechanics of whether airplanes have keys to what happens if a pilot needs the restroom during landing, this video addresses 10 popular queries. If you have ever been curious about how flight decks really operate, these answers provide clarity on the procedures that keep flights safe and on schedule.I break down the reality behind common passenger myths and explain the actual pilot certificate standards for handling unusual situations. Whether you are a frequent flyer or just curious about aviation facts, you will walk away with a better understanding of what happens at 30,000 feet.Subscribe for weekly aviation breakdowns, and comment below with the most terrifying or brilliant question you have about flying.Edited By: @jarodbowser 0:00 Can Passengers Command a Go-Around?1:42 Do Airplanes Actually Use Keys?2:41 Do Airliners Have Horns?3:23 Pilot Bathroom Breaks During Landing4:40 Do Pilots Watch Movies During Flight?6:16 Can an Airliner Take Off Backwards?━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✈️ MORE FROM HAYDENSubscribe for honest aviation advice, life as an airline pilot, and adventures beyond the cockpit.🧭 Watch BEARINGS — Chapter Onehttps://youtu.be/3W3n2l9mook💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITYA place for pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts to ask questions, share experiences, and connect.https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4T🌎 CONNECTWebsite → https://www.haydenteteak.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteakLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak📩 BUSINESS [email protected] MEI’m Hayden Teteak—an airline pilot, former flight instructor, and filmmaker. I share what I’ve learned from flight training to the airlines, along with stories about the life and adventures flying makes possible.The views shared here are my own and do not represent my employer.

If you feel like you’re falling behind in life, flight training, or your pilot career, this video is for you.Whether you’re studying for your first FAA written exam, preparing for a checkride, building 1,500 flight hours, waiting for an airline opportunity, or simply trying to make it through a difficult week, I want you to hear this: I’m proud of you. Keep going.Becoming an airline pilot—and pursuing any difficult dream—rarely follows a perfect timeline. Failed checkrides, rejected applications, financial pressure, career setbacks, burnout, comparison, and uncertainty can make you feel like everyone else is moving faster.This video is your reminder that slow progress is still progress, resting is not quitting, and taking longer than expected does not mean you’ve failed. Your story isn’t over.If this message helped you, share it with someone who needs encouragement. Comment the next small step you’re going to take, and subscribe for honest videos about flight training, aviation, airline pilot careers, and life as a regional airline pilot.#motivation #studentpilot #airlinepilots ✨ JOIN THE NEW DISCORD COMMUNITY — FREE FOR ALL PILOTS, STUDENTS, & ENTHUSIASTSGet mentorship, study help, checkride advice, and connect with pilots on the same journey:👉 https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4TEdited By:  @jarodbowser  🎓 If you’re a career changer considering becoming an airline pilot, I’ve built a structured roadmap course to help you evaluate the transition strategically https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/courses/airline-pilot-career-courseSubscribe for honest, data-driven insights on airline hiring, pilot careers, and long-term aviation strategy.🚀 START HERE (Free Aviation Roadmaps)🎯 Free 5-Year Airline Pilot BlueprintThe roadmap I wish I had on day one of flight training.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/HSTOAIRLINE🛩 Free FAA Private Pilot Checkride ChecklistA structured checklist to help you walk into your checkride prepared and confident.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/pplchecklist📚 COURSES & STRUCTURED TRAININGWant to build your aviation career with a clear plan?🎓 Choose the Right Flight SchoolA practical course to help you confidently select the best training path.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/courses/pilot-career-courseExplore all training programs and resources:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/courses🧰 GEAR I USE & RECOMMENDView my aviation gear and tools here:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/gear🛍 Get 5% off at Fallon Pilot ShopUse code: HAYDENhttps://fallonpilotshop.com/collections/hayden?ref=HAYDENTETEAK🌐 EXPLORE MORE🧭 Start Your Aviation Journeyhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/start-here📖 Learn more about my background and missionhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/about-2📲 CONNECT📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteak💼 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak✉ Business Inquiries: [email protected]

Is pilot life actually worth the stress? Discover the raw reality behind aviation career challenges and why the view makes it worth it.Many people romanticize being a pilot, but the job involves significant hurdles. This discussion covers the harsh realities of the profession, including the exhaustion of early mornings, the pressure of constant pilot training stress, and the repetitive struggle of hotel living during layovers. If you are considering this path, understanding these challenges in flying is essential for setting realistic expectations.Despite the difficult schedule, there is a unique reward that keeps many in the cockpit. We look at why seeing a sunrise from 35,000 feet changes your perspective on the job as a whole. It is a look at the trade-off between the lifestyle demands and the rare moments of beauty that define the pilot life.Subscribe for weekly aviation career breakdowns, and comment below if the view from the flight deck would be enough to make the early mornings worth it for you.✨ JOIN THE NEW DISCORD COMMUNITY — FREE FOR ALL PILOTS, STUDENTS, & ENTHUSIASTSGet mentorship, study help, checkride advice, and connect with pilots on the same journey:👉 https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4TEdited By: @jarodbowser🎓 If you’re a career changer considering becoming an airline pilot, I’ve built a structured roadmap course to help you evaluate the transition strategically https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/courses/airline-pilot-career-courseSubscribe for honest, data-driven insights on airline hiring, pilot careers, and long-term aviation strategy.🚀 START HERE (Free Aviation Roadmaps)🎯 Free 5-Year Airline Pilot BlueprintThe roadmap I wish I had on day one of flight training.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/HSTOAIRLINE🛩 Free FAA Private Pilot Checkride ChecklistA structured checklist to help you walk into your checkride prepared and confident.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/pplchecklist📚 COURSES & STRUCTURED TRAININGWant to build your aviation career with a clear plan?🎓 Choose the Right Flight SchoolA practical course to help you confidently select the best training path.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/courses/pilot-career-courseExplore all training programs and resources:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/courses🧰 GEAR I USE & RECOMMENDView my aviation gear and tools here:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/gear🛍 Get 5% off at Fallon Pilot ShopUse code: HAYDENhttps://fallonpilotshop.com/collections/hayden?ref=HAYDENTETEAK🌐 EXPLORE MORE🧭 Start Your Aviation Journeyhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/start-here📖 Learn more about my background and missionhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/about-2📲 CONNECT📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteak💼 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak✉ Business Inquiries: [email protected]

My journey as a regional airline pilot has changed significantly since my last update. Get a transparent look at the reality of professional flight training.After many requests for an update, I am sharing how my life looks now that I have completed my flight training and started working for an airline. This video breaks down the transition from being a flight instructor to wearing the uniform and navigating the specific demands of airline pilot training. If you are curious about the actual progression required to reach the flight deck, this overview covers the milestones I have hit recently.Whether you are currently in flight school or considering a pilot career path, understanding the shift from student to professional is crucial. I discuss the experiences that defined this past year, including the realities of airline training and the day-to-day life of a regional airline pilot. My goal is to provide a clear perspective on what to expect when you finally make it into the cockpit.Subscribe for weekly pilot life breakdowns, and comment below with your biggest question about the airline hiring process.✨ JOIN THE NEW DISCORD COMMUNITY — FREE FOR ALL PILOTS, STUDENTS, & ENTHUSIASTSGet mentorship, study help, checkride advice, and connect with pilots on the same journey:👉 https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4TEdited By: @jarodbowser 🎓 If you’re a career changer considering becoming an airline pilot, I’ve built a structured roadmap course to help you evaluate the transition strategically https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/courses/airline-pilot-career-courseSubscribe for honest, data-driven insights on airline hiring, pilot careers, and long-term aviation strategy.🚀 START HERE (Free Aviation Roadmaps)🎯 Free 5-Year Airline Pilot BlueprintThe roadmap I wish I had on day one of flight training.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/HSTOAIRLINE🛩 Free FAA Private Pilot Checkride ChecklistA structured checklist to help you walk into your checkride prepared and confident.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/pplchecklist📚 COURSES & STRUCTURED TRAININGWant to build your aviation career with a clear plan?🎓 Choose the Right Flight SchoolA practical course to help you confidently select the best training path.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/courses/pilot-career-courseExplore all training programs and resources:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/courses🧰 GEAR I USE & RECOMMENDView my aviation gear and tools here:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/gear🛍 Get 5% off at Fallon Pilot ShopUse code: HAYDENhttps://fallonpilotshop.com/collections/hayden?ref=HAYDENTETEAK🌐 EXPLORE MORE🧭 Start Your Aviation Journeyhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/start-here📖 Learn more about my background and missionhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/about-2📲 CONNECT📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteak💼 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak✉ Business Inquiries: [email protected]

Chicago O'Hare is the site of a brutal airline turf war. Learn why American Airlines and United Airlines are fighting over gate space.This video explains the intense competition between American Airlines and United Airlines at one of the busiest airports in the world. While passengers focus on ticket prices and credit cards, the real battle happening behind the scenes is about controlling physical infrastructure. We break down why Chicago O'Hare is so critical for these carriers and how gate access dictates their ability to dominate the market.If you want to understand airline hub strategy, this analysis explains the specific tactics used to protect territory. United Airlines is fighting to maintain its status, while American Airlines is pushing to prevent the airport from becoming a single-carrier fortress. You will walk away with a clear understanding of why airport real estate is the most valuable asset in the aviation industry.Subscribe for weekly aviation industry breakdowns, and comment below on which major airport hub you think will see the next big carrier conflict.✨ JOIN THE NEW DISCORD COMMUNITY — FREE FOR ALL PILOTS, STUDENTS, & ENTHUSIASTSGet mentorship, study help, checkride advice, and connect with pilots on the same journey:👉 https://discord.gg/jT9B3D6w4TEdited By:  @jarodbowser  🎓 If you’re a career changer considering becoming an airline pilot, I’ve built a structured roadmap course to help you evaluate the transition strategically https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/courses/airline-pilot-career-courseSubscribe for honest, data-driven insights on airline hiring, pilot careers, and long-term aviation strategy.🚀 START HERE (Free Aviation Roadmaps)🎯 Free 5-Year Airline Pilot BlueprintThe roadmap I wish I had on day one of flight training.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/HSTOAIRLINE🛩 Free FAA Private Pilot Checkride ChecklistA structured checklist to help you walk into your checkride prepared and confident.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/products/digital_downloads/pplchecklist📚 COURSES & STRUCTURED TRAININGWant to build your aviation career with a clear plan?🎓 Choose the Right Flight SchoolA practical course to help you confidently select the best training path.https://learn.haydenteteak.com/courses/pilot-career-courseExplore all training programs and resources:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/courses🧰 GEAR I USE & RECOMMENDView my aviation gear and tools here:👉 https://www.haydenteteak.com/gear🛍 Get 5% off at Fallon Pilot ShopUse code: HAYDENhttps://fallonpilotshop.com/collections/hayden?ref=HAYDENTETEAK🌐 EXPLORE MORE🧭 Start Your Aviation Journeyhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/start-here📖 Learn more about my background and missionhttps://www.haydenteteak.com/about-2📲 CONNECT📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/hayden_teteak💼 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-teteak✉ Business Inquiries: [email protected]