Airline pilot with young kids
02-19-2019, 05:27 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
Airline pilot with young kids
I was hoping to hear real life experiences of being an airline pilot with little kids. Mine will be 3 once I make it to the regional airlines. I know I will be gone a lot but would love to hear people’s thoughts in how they make it work to spend time with their kids.
Thanks
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Thanks
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02-19-2019, 05:37 PM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
At that age you want to be home as much as possible.
Try to live in a junior base if at all possible, that way the upgrade won't kill your QOL.
May have to prioritize family over the upgrade and the move to a major. That's what I did, never commuted after the kids arrived and ruled out many majors accordingly, but I couldn't move either. Easier call for me, at the time movement was slow to non-existent so I didn't miss much career-wise. Today the delay will cost you.
Also it helps if the kids are engaged in your travels. They like to know in advance, like a few days anyway. Give them a calendar so they can track daddy, and a big map so they can see where you're going.
Try to live in a junior base if at all possible, that way the upgrade won't kill your QOL.
May have to prioritize family over the upgrade and the move to a major. That's what I did, never commuted after the kids arrived and ruled out many majors accordingly, but I couldn't move either. Easier call for me, at the time movement was slow to non-existent so I didn't miss much career-wise. Today the delay will cost you.
Also it helps if the kids are engaged in your travels. They like to know in advance, like a few days anyway. Give them a calendar so they can track daddy, and a big map so they can see where you're going.
02-19-2019, 06:23 PM
#5
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by mikeinflight
I was hoping to hear real life experiences of being an airline pilot with little kids. Mine will be 3 once I make it to the regional airlines. I know I will be gone a lot but would love to hear people’s thoughts in how they make it work to spend time with their kids.
Thanks
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Thanks
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Live in base, bid reserve (if reserves don’t get used a lot), and try to bid 1 and 2 day trips if possible.
Enjoy your time on the road!! You may not want to tell your wife how great your dinner and beers were, but try and enjoy yourself. This job should be fun. Understand that being gone is literally the job and don’t fight it, just try to find a balance.
FaceTime is GREAT too. My daughter likes seeing me during my preflights in the cockpit. Even if it’s two minutes.
02-19-2019, 07:33 PM
#6
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Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
Airline pilot with young kids
Originally Posted by PotatoChip
I have a three-year-old and another one literally coming any day right now. I left a good paying, stable job to be home more.
Live in base, bid reserve (if reserves don’t get used a lot), and try to bid 1 and 2 day trips if possible.
Enjoy your time on the road!! You may not want to tell your wife how great your dinner and beers were, but try and enjoy yourself. This job should be fun. Understand that being gone is literally the job and don’t fight it, just try to find a balance.
FaceTime is GREAT too. My daughter likes seeing me during my preflights in the cockpit. Even if it’s two minutes.
Live in base, bid reserve (if reserves don’t get used a lot), and try to bid 1 and 2 day trips if possible.
Enjoy your time on the road!! You may not want to tell your wife how great your dinner and beers were, but try and enjoy yourself. This job should be fun. Understand that being gone is literally the job and don’t fight it, just try to find a balance.
FaceTime is GREAT too. My daughter likes seeing me during my preflights in the cockpit. Even if it’s two minutes.
That’s really great to hear. I don’t know if 1 or 2 day trips are possible when new to the regionals.
Also, we will be living and moving to the Sacramento area to be right near her family. I will have to commute but could be LA or Seattle if I got on with Compass to start. They have tons of flights and heard that type of commute is doable. I wouldn’t have that many choices being that Sacramento is a base for nothing.
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02-19-2019, 07:39 PM
#7
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Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
Originally Posted by rickair7777
At that age you want to be home as much as possible.
Try to live in a junior base if at all possible, that way the upgrade won't kill your QOL.
May have to prioritize family over the upgrade and the move to a major. That's what I did, never commuted after the kids arrived and ruled out many majors accordingly, but I couldn't move either. Easier call for me, at the time movement was slow to non-existent so I didn't miss much career-wise. Today the delay will cost you.
Also it helps if the kids are engaged in your travels. They like to know in advance, like a few days anyway. Give them a calendar so they can track daddy, and a big map so they can see where you're going.
Try to live in a junior base if at all possible, that way the upgrade won't kill your QOL.
May have to prioritize family over the upgrade and the move to a major. That's what I did, never commuted after the kids arrived and ruled out many majors accordingly, but I couldn't move either. Easier call for me, at the time movement was slow to non-existent so I didn't miss much career-wise. Today the delay will cost you.
Also it helps if the kids are engaged in your travels. They like to know in advance, like a few days anyway. Give them a calendar so they can track daddy, and a big map so they can see where you're going.
This is good advice. Living in base isn’t an option as we will be living in the Sacramento area. I am a career changer and my wife has a great paying stable job. Her family is nearby as well. I know it is part of the gig so FaceTime and getting a good schedule at times hopefully will help out.
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02-19-2019, 09:06 PM
#9
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
Originally Posted by SonicFlyer
All of my married friends tell me never to get married.
Originally Posted by SonicFlyer
All of my friends with kids tell me never to have kids.
02-19-2019, 09:51 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by rickair7777
I wouldn't do that unless you want kids.
That's actually effed up. All of my personal and professional accomplishments pale in comparison to the joy and satisfaction I get from the kids.
That's actually effed up. All of my personal and professional accomplishments pale in comparison to the joy and satisfaction I get from the kids.
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