I can honestly say, I would not be flying today if it weren't for my wife. I guess it just depends on the situation. No marriage is perfect, and you may have to make some sacrifices along the way, but the objective is to reach old age happy. If being single and flying your A$$ off is what makes you happy, then go for it. If being married and bidding reserve and flying as little as possible and getting paid for it is what you dig, then that's an option too. Then again, some women will let you be married and fly. That's what I have. Some of us just get lucky, I guess. Bottom line, the right spouse can help you and your career as much as the wrong one can torpedo it. Only you can decide what kind of spouse you have.

 

certainly appreciate all of your comments gents. Then again, I heard somewhere that pilots have a high divorce rate, not sure if its statistically true, comparing to other professions like law enforcement etc. etc. I will wait till I am 40, just to be on the safe side...

 

Hey! I had that idea first! You stole it! Give it back!

 

Never whistle while packing and you'll be ok.

 

I think the divorce rate for pilots is about average along with doctors and lawyers.

 

I'm in a country far far away from my home running around the city with 20-something-year-old girls from Europe on my days off, right as I type this (well we're all eating dinner in the hostel right now, but today and tonight the above applies). At least stay single 'til 30!

 

Airline pilot:

1. Marry girl from USA and divorce her during your career.
2. Marry flight attendant. Big mistake! Divorce her.
3. Marry girl from Central or South America or Asia (and much younger than you). Live happily ever after.

I've seen this a lot.

"You're not a real airline pilot until you've been divorced and furloughed."
-Unknown

 

Told my wife before we were ever really serious that there are a few things about me she has to deal with, flying, farming, and motorcycles! I've done all them, will continue, and have loved them all longer than I have her!!!

 

I'm in my first year of marriage and have and 8 day old baby girl. My wife knows how much I don't enjoy my job and how much joy I have on the rare occasion that I get to fly. She wants me to be happy and will support any career / job I choose after I leave the military.

However, I have a wife and a baby girl and I have to support them. As much as I'd love to become an airline pilot and as many jobs as there are out there that I am already qualified for, my commitment to support my family makes many of those jobs terrible choices. I am limited on where I can go and how much of a financial (albeit temporary) cut I can take. Is a 60-70% pay cut worth having a happy flying job? How temporary is "temporary" and will I only spend a short time at the regionals should I reach 1K PIC ME before leaving the military?

Regardless of whether or not your family supports your airline career, you have to come to grips with your own doubts and fears.

 

I'm a married pilot so I'll chime in (however I'm military, with its own set of advantages and disadvantages in the realm of happy marriages)

If you're getting into marriage simply to check a box, ie. "I'm 30/35/40 and I should be married by now" then I wouldn't suggest it.

If you're getting into marriage ultimately to get something out of it for yourself, then I wouldn't suggest it.

If you do get married, and if your wife doesn't work (decides to stay home with the kids or what not) and if you can support your family through flying...then well done. If not, you can always take your kids down to the local airport on Sundays and regale them with tales of how Dad used to fly.