Originally Posted by dojetdriver
Conversly, there are alot of women who can't deal with the fact that airline pilots are gone alot. Even the women who are the "strong, independent, career type who just want companionship". Although 50 hours a week is alot, many airline pilots can be gone for 75-80 hrs a week, sometimes more. Now toss in the high possibility that alot of us cannot get weekends off.
On average I'll spend atleast 3000 hours a year away from home. That would be equal to a 12 hour day, 5 days a week for somebody with a "normal" m-f job. If someone works 50 hrs a week at a m-f job that comes out to about 2600 hrs. That's on the high side for the m-f job and not subtracting out vacations or holidays off.
Also, our job is not as flexible as many think. I have yet to hear of an airline that has "flex" time, or whatever you wish to call it. If my 10 hour day turned into a 16 hour day, I can't just take 6 hours off next week or whenever I choose. This one is my favorite, you are dating someone and they ask, "can't you just take the day off?" Sure, in the middle of a 4 day trip, no problem. Or, "can't you get somebody else to work for you?". Again, sure. Let me get some guy who has just been away from his home and family for 4 or 5 days and ask him to spend even more time away. He'll jump at the chance.
I agree, you guys work hard and are gone alot, and people who don't travel often, usually discount the toll that it can take on a person and their family. They think you all just roll into town, hit the bars, and party. They don't know the reality. I'm not trying to have a debate here over who works harder. I'm just saying that I work a lot, and many women do, not necessarily by choice. Just take a look at the cost of living in the Bay Area!
I don't have "flex-time" either. Basically, if I want to make or need money, then I work. I just had this conversation with my orthopedic surgeon, who told me that I went back to work too soon after my recent knee surgery. He nodded his head in agreement because he knows what it takes to live here, even if it goes against his best medical judgement to allow me to go back to work.
Truth is, many people work too hard and work too much to survive economically. I don't need to go into that here. I know that you all are intelligent enough to grasp that. Heck, all I was trying to say here was that there are probably more than a few professional women (here in the Bay Area) who work many hours that would appreciate a nice pilot guy that might understand working hard...
Jeeze, ya just try to be nice and it gets all mixed up....
