Gone
 

I can see the appeal and at one time dreamed of that myself. However having a family and full home life changes that completely. I don't see how anyone with small children could be comfortable with being gone all the time. If a firefighter has a problem at home he is only across town. When a pilots family has a crisis he is across the globe in the wrong time zone and usually does not find out about it until it is much too late to help. Besides that it takes two parents to run a fully functioning household.

One of the biggest points that I attempt to make is that increasingly one must choose between a healthy family life and an airline career. The price was too high for me.

SkyHigh

I understand what you say. Although, everyone's situation is different. My fiancee is a pilot too and we have discussed the family thing many times. We decided to stay living where we grew up and have awesome parents who are willing to help with kids in the future. We have watched our schedules and agree that we can have kids, work and have one of us be home pretty much all the time. We would still see eachother as much as we see eachother now. We would maybe need grandma 4 times a month. I have spoken with many 2 pilot couples that make it work and I believe I can too. If it becomes too much, then we will have a decision to make. Of course the kids will come first.

On another note, I grew up with only a mother and things turned out just fine but that's an entirely different discussion.

Congratulations!!!
 

You and your husband have all my best wishes and congratulations. I am sure that you will be successful parents.

However I would like to mention that I have known a few mothers who stuck it out for a few months as a line pilot but never any who were able to stay away long term. The bonds of motherhood are very strong. I found it very difficult to be away myself and can only imagine the torture it would be to be a mother leaving her new born on a two week trip.

I don't think we really know ourselves until we hold our children for the first time. Parenting is a hugely satisfying and fulfilling journey.

Best of luck,

SkyHigh

Yeah, I have heard of those too and you never know until you actually have a kid but I have asked some lady pilots if they have thought of quitting. Every one I asked with kids that is still working said no way. Oh well, I will see I guess. If I want to quit then it won't matter then anyway because I will want to. No matter what though, once we do have kids, I realize they are priority. Thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully things work out well, I am nervous though. :eek:

SkyHigh. You give credence to the expression " Different strokes for different folks." Criticizing all professsionals who do not have the standard eight hour day, five day workweek (. . . it takes two parents to run a fully functional household.) is disingenuous.

There are tens of thousands of military familes who deal with this daily. Other professionals (even construction company personnel) travel away from home frequently. It's enhances airline income. Most of them would probably prefer to have a home life like yours but make sacrifices to be in a different profession.

Doing so does not make them "lesser" parents or spouses.

You feel your family lifestyle is "best" for your family and deserve credit for providing it. Please give credit to those of us who are different.

Parenting
 

I don't believe I ever mentioned that one style is better than another. I said that a mothers instinct is strong. I believe that it is easier for fathers to be away.

I am sure that if you were to ask the kid they would prefer to have both parents at home at all times but modern life does not permit that too often. Aviation however is kind enough to furlough pilots frequently so they can be at home. :)

SkyHigh

Let interest rates double (check 1982 or 1983 %) and the home building industry "would be kind enough to furlough [workers] frequently so they can be at home."

It's not something any of us should :) about.

Nobody respects the industry like they use to

My Perspective
 

My perspective is for those who have an interest in obtaining a standard middle class life one day. My posts assume that most appreciate time at home, middle class or better financial benefits and a normal social life. I understand that many here prefer a studio apartment in the ghetto and have no friends outside of the EAA and I am sure that they are very happy and satisfied however others have different expectations and it is to them that I post.

SkyHigh

I have probably spent more time at EAA then anyone else on this forum and can guarantee that few ghetto dwellers own one of the thousands of airplanes that attend fly-ins. If you love aviation, and want to have fun, there isn't a better group of friends. There are many major / legacy airline Captains & FOs who volunter to fly Ford Tri-motor and other antique airplanes on weekends so the public can have a better appreciation of aviation history.