Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Transportation and material moving / 53-2011.00

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

US jobs
103,560
Median wage
$232,140 a year
Job family
Transportation and material moving

Can agents do the work of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Transportation and material moving: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 23%Operate transportation equipment or vehiclesNot measured
  • 17%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
  • 11%Monitor equipment operationNot measured
  • 7%Manage control systems or activitiesNot measured
  • 6%Inspect vehiclesNot measured
  • 5%Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or propertiesNot measured
  • 4%Determine operational methods or proceduresNot measured
  • 4%Resolve personnel or operational problemsNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in transportation and material moving, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • Waymo Safety Impact data hubby WaymoTask level · Reduction in any-injury-reported crashes vs human benchmark
    82%Waymo Driver (rider-only, 220.6M miles through March 2026) · Mar 2026
    Unrated

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
  • Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Other job titles for this occupation (26)

Airbus Captain · Airline Captain · Airline Pilot · Captain · Check Airman · Co-Pilot · Commercial Airline Pilot · First Officer (FO) · Line Pilot · Pilot · Air Force Pilot · Aircraft Captain · Aircraft Pilot · Airline Pilot Flight Instructor · Airline Transport Pilot · Airplane Pilot · Army Helicopter Pilot · Copilot · Facilities Flight Check Pilot · Fighter Pilot · First Officer Pilot (FO Pilot) · Helicopter Pilot · Jet Pilot · Military Pilot · Navy Fighter Pilot · Regional Airline Pilot