I chose to take one class later so I wouldn’t be training on thanksgiving day, and ended up with a 3.5 month training delay as a result. However, having said that, I was getting full pay and benefits during that time, and moving up the seniority list as well. So essentially, I spent my reserve time relaxing at home.

I second this. This is why I rarely pick up OT.

YOU know the reason to get on someone’s seniority list ASAP. Your family will not fully understand it. Take care of your family if it’s at odds with your career. A few seniority spots is not the end of the world in today’s pilot market. Just my opinion.

I missed being furloughed by 10 numbers.

Good thing I didn’t delay my class so I could walk across a stage for graduation.





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It might sound harsh, but this isn't the last time you'll miss a family event. Delay a class or not, they'll still have to get used to you not being home all the time. You'll miss birthdays, holidays, etc. until you can hold it off. Then you'll upgrade and it'll start all over. Then you'll move up to a better job and do it all again.

This ^^^
Your family is important but without a job you can’t provide for them.
Get in class.
More numbers below you equals lesser chance of furlough when the next crisis hits.
Part of growing up is dealing with disappointments. Daddy is not always going to be there.

I didn’t say live your life by that, but in 121 you are a number on a list.

Period.

OP wanted opinions, there you go.

What he said. If this causes great pain for your family, do them a favor and get out now. You can be a professional pilot and have better control of your work life. You won’t find this at the airlines. (At least for a long time)

This is a tough industry for family QOL. No one can answer the question you asked but you. Unfortunately everything people have said about delaying a class is true.

Thanks guys lots of good info. I should make it a bit more clear that they are not over the wall upset about me taking an earlier class,
just a bit disappointed.

I do have to disagree, to a certain extent at least, about this career being hard on family QOL. With a bit of seniority at the airlines one usually has more time with family than someone who works M-F 9-5 especially living in base and with a bit of seniority. Plus, at least when they are home, they are 100% off with absolutely no work obligations. I’ll NEVER go back to working a desk job again!