Commercial airline pilots transport passengers and cargo on airplanes, navigating routes and ensuring aircraft instruments are working properly. They earn a high school diploma with a focus on math, science, and physics, obtain a bachelor's degree in aviation, earn pilots licenses including a commercial pilot's license, and can earn over $166,000 annually after gaining experience. The career involves unusual hours, travel including weekends, and eating while flying, but offers bonuses like free travel, seeing the world, and experiencing new places.