I'm a single Dad at my third Major with a significant ANG commitment. I have an 11 year old son whom I would like to have with me. His mother and I have a great relationship, but we mutually agree that he needs to spend as much time with me as possible. ?, Has anyone else found a way to be a single-parent Dad and have custody of your kid, and have a successful airline career? Just looking for help.

Thanx,
A320

 

I am not a single dad, but my wife is in the military and I had to make the decision to leave the airlines recently because I wasn't getting enough time with my daughter and now there is another on the way. I am back to corporate flying (and pretty much part time at that).

People do it all the time, and it is especially nice that you have a good relationship with your ex. Do you guys live close to each other? That would be the big thing in my mind. Then it might be more like having two parents at home in a sense because you can leave your son with the ex when duty and work calls. Otherwise, to be honest, I would say it is going to be a pretty sucky life for you and your son if spending time together is what you are looking for. Of course, it all depends on your seniority. I passed up several upgrades to keep my schedule, but when the wife deployed, it was all out the window.

I don't know how people with two working spouses make it in this industry when family is their biggest priority. Me personally, I have decided that time with my daughter was worth leaving all of my time and hard work behind. I loved my company and I miss it almost everyday. But I will never get this time back with my kids and I seriously doubt the airline misses me much as I miss the kids when I go away.

Good luck either way.

 

Hire a nanny. Provide her with a room at your house to stay in when you're gone, but she should also have her own place. Obviously be very selective, and expect to pay a lot. This would allow you to do day-trips or short trips without shipping the kiddos back to mom every time.

 

You can hire European Nannies relatively cheap. What do you consider expensive.

 

Since this is a longer term proposition, not just a couple years until they start school, you would want one very good nanny to stay the course. Probably some combination of pay and bennies in the $30-35K range. A lot, but hey if you can have your kids AND a career you love...

 

Interview like crazy. I found a single mom to help, she brings her kid and eats my groceries. She doesn't have to pay for daycare for her kid while making money. Keep in mind, that i spend more time at home, with a vastly different schedule, as a pilot than I did as a manager. I like it more, big chunks off time with my kids instead of an hour or two here and there.