Working Christmas....it's just a day

Part of working in the travel industry means you will work a holiday every now and then especially when you are on the bottom of the seniority list for your status. Things changed recently when my airline started offering incentive pay to work certain busy travel days and now senior pilots are opting to work on holidays to get that extra money.

[@Clipper1094]

My first year out of high school, having to wake up at 4am to get to work at 7am on Christmas Day, was the biggest welcome to adulthood slap in the face I’ve ever experienced. 😂

[@BAD2010UK]

What’s open at 7am on Christmas Day?

[@danielinokoba5655]

😂😂😂😂

[@davidcole333]

I appreciate evwryone that works holidays. From a humble warehouse guy all the way to 777 pilot. They all deserve our love.

[@FumiSG]

Merry Christmas and all the best to you, the scientist and your other loved ones!🙂

[@bajamedic]

I am thankful for my supportive family. Over the last 15 years we have celebrated most thanksgiving's the following Sat or Sun and I think I have worked more X-Mas days than I have had off.

[@cliftonodom3059]

Thank you for getting me home

[@metfish]

As a dispatcher it took me a good 25 years to secure Christmas off!

[@tintin_789]

Thanks for the vid! I think short little ones with just a few thoughts are a nice addition to your normal longer-form content. Keep up the good work and merry xmas!

[@ringo7561]

Good video...good outlook

[@bjmumm]

It’s part of the industry. It’s not just the flight crews, it’s the ticket/gate agents, mechanics, ramp workers, fuelers, TSA, ATC. Have a safe and Merry Christmas!!

[@geekontheflightdeck]

I did mention most of the people you starred in your comment btw in the video

[@tonymcflattie2450]

We can be heroes…. Just for one day!

[@RobertHansenRob]

Thank you for explaining that. Makes sense my friend

[@ritchieb1612]

Be Kind... love that T-shirt if only more people would take that too heart.

[@Tacotrader219]

As airline workers we sacrifice our family time to make sure someone else is getting to see their family.

[@nicolelacy4527]

I 110% agree with you!

[@f3nd13y]

been in this industry 10 years now and somehow this Thanksgiving was the first major holiday away from home.

[@davidhood2200]

Will be on day 4 of a 5 day trip this Christmas. First Christmas as an airline pilot!

[@geekontheflightdeck]

Protip. Look around your overnight hotel NOW for food options. Find a restaurant with a Christmas day lunch/dinner and go with your crew.

[@davidhood2200]

@@geekontheflightdeck thanks! Will keep that in mind.

[@RenegadeVoodoo]

Working ATS on Christmas. Holiday pay!

[@YAJBEATSofficial]

Hey, what’s up, man? I was just like to ask you what kind of camera do you use on this video because this quality is crazy good

[@geekontheflightdeck]

DJI Osmo 3 here. I mix it up between that Pixel 9 Pro, IPhone 15 promax and Rayban Meta glasses.

[@donrumsey]

Tell me about your t-shirt. Love it!

[@geekontheflightdeck]

It’s from the Til Valhalla Project, a veteran-owned company focused on honoring fallen military and first responders by delivering memorial plaques to their families, with their core message being to spread kindness and awareness around veteran mental health issues, particularly suicide prevention.

[@donrumsey]

@ I thought I recognized that. Thank you.

[@philiphart6688]

Are those the glasses/frames with the cameras?

[@geekontheflightdeck]

Yep. If you ever see vertical video in my videos that’s what I use. Rayban Meta glasses

[@stevenjodoin4894]

Did you fly TPA-HNL?

[@geekontheflightdeck]

Nope. That went senior. Easy trip.

[@kevinCMH911]

Working on XMAS also in scheduling

[@papatango2362]

I didn’t know DFW had Maui trips… I thought it was only Honolulu.

[@geekontheflightdeck]

Seasonal. The 777-200 replaces the 787-800 for the extra seating and much more cargo capacity.

[@mannyhanson]

Does the 777 fly to Barcelona?

[@geekontheflightdeck]

Sometimes. Goes between 787 and 777.

[@joshilini2]

Darren merry xmas to you sir. How long must you wait until you get your 4th stripe?

[@geekontheflightdeck]

I've been Captain before. I could have been Captain the last 3 years. I prefer the QOL being a 777 FO gives me.

[@Therealdougkarl]

Merry Christmas! Do you think your seniority will get better on the 777 with more senior guys bidding back to NB CA and junior guys coming over. Or do you think it will stay stagnant on the 777.

[@geekontheflightdeck]

It’s very dynamic. Many don’t ever leave the 777 FO seat. I flew to Maui this week. The FO can be a line holding 777 Captain.

[@heresthething9740]

Darren, PHOG RWY 2, does the 777 take the full length to land? Just curious based on size since A321 on HAL almost always take full length to stop. Looked like you were on the Kihei side of the island. Enjoy the holidays and safe flying.

[@geekontheflightdeck]

Arrived in a 787. The Captain I was with flies the 777 often to OGG and can make Foxtrot no issue but normally rolls to the end for passenger comfort and brake savings. The 777 has much better landing performance than the 321. I’ve been very impressed.