Yeah, consolidation.

Wrong. FMLA is only available for employees after one year of employment.

Google it

Babies suck for the first six months or so, anyways. You can Google that, too. I made sure to be there for all my kids being born, but they aren’t even people until about six months of age.

Yes....I’m a cold and dark monster of a person. Sue me.

Flight crews are treated slightly differently than your average worker. FMLA gives 12 WORK weeks off. Our work week is 6 days, not 5, by department of labor rules. That means we get 72 days off, rather than the 84 that most other workers get.

Generally, you have to be on property for over one year to qualify for FMLA. Your employer can grant you leave earlier than one year, but that is their discretion. Talk with your prospective employer and see what they'll work out. Most places will give you some leave, but nowhere near 6 months to a year.

For anyone else, I'd suggest considering taking intermittent FMLA for spouse health to support your wife right after birth. Save your baby bonding FMLA for later. Baby bonding can only be taken in one continuous block within one year after birth.

I say work with your chief and establish a good relationship. They’re people too and they have families. It’s better than running away.

I think it’s great you want to support your wife and bond with your baby! But here’s another idea. Have you considered hiring part time help for your wife? Maybe you can get a nanny for couple of hours every week.

The law, as originally written used to preclude many flight crew from FMLA eligibility. The problem was the required number of hours worked, and also the fact that reserve didn't actually legally count as hours worked. This inordinately affected Flight Attendants, so they actually lobbied congress and got flight crew language added to the law. You should review that language to make sure you can qualify when you need to.

That might work. Make sure your wife doesn't screw you by doing a triathlon and posting video on social media (yes that happened to a pilot I knew).

It can be taken in multiple blocks if the employer agrees to it. But they can require that you take it all at once.

If you become a nuisance for the employer you will end up on the unofficial blacklist. This means they will be gunning to get rid of you for any reason and I guess on probation they don’t even have to have one. I would take care of the family first and then deal with the airlines. Don’t worry about pushing a class date you can just apply everywhere else and start when you’re ready.

The State in which your based might offer some relief. I think New York benefits kick in at 6 months.

No you are not, just a realist. If there is not a medical or child care reason to not be home get the heck out. What you should do is be there 24 hours a day when you are home. When home you get up and take care of the baby. You clean the house, make the meals and do the laundry etc. AND make time to take your wife out on a date. You cannot do all that if you take FMLA and are stuck in the baby vortice. You will be just as tired and miserable as mama.

I disagree. The science has shown that early baby bonding is important, even if YOU don't think you're getting much out of it, rest assured the child is. My personal experience checks with that. I was there for the youngest, very good kid, very close relationship with me from the beginning. Mama took max leave too.