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15 to 17 days of work is 14-16 days off. Thats not that uncommon. Be creative with trip trades!Originally Posted by par8head
What? Where do you work? I want to work only 15-17 days!
[quote=BoilerUP;311093]If you're only gone 9 or 10 nights a month, you live in domicile and are bidding short trips.
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Thats true, and thats what I do. Makes life better. Trade 4 days for 2 days, maybe worth less, but I get more days off. Then if I need to make more, I'll pick up a day trip or 2 day out of open time for time and a half pay. End up working the same amount of days as my initial schedule with more nights at home and more pay. Its hard to do when you're junior though.
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Thats true, and thats what I do. Makes life better. Trade 4 days for 2 days, maybe worth less, but I get more days off. Then if I need to make more, I'll pick up a day trip or 2 day out of open time for time and a half pay. End up working the same amount of days as my initial schedule with more nights at home and more pay. Its hard to do when you're junior though.
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What ever you do don't have any kids unless you're sure they're the one. I can't tell you how many pay child support on $21 per hour, it's sad.
I think I'm pretty lucky she's not needy in any way. While I'm at training she's going to be working to furnish the apartment and what not. Plus she'll be in her last year of school when I first start so I think it'll be good for her to have me around only 3 days a week. I think it'll give her a chance on really focusing on finsihing school and I'll be able to focus on the new job.Originally Posted by AirWillie
Statistically your relationship will suffer as in separation with someone you were with pre-pro flying. Most the time it's such a major lifestyle change that they can't handle it. You should probably know, does you GF call you every hour you're not with her? Then that's a bad sign. You're more likely to have stronger relationship with someone who understand what it means to be a pilot, not being 1st year FO also helps. It's all about the benefits. What ever you do don't have any kids unless you're sure they're the one. I can't tell you how many pay child support on $21 per hour, it's sad.
My husband told me that I should respond to this thread -- I live this. . .
I love my life and I love my husband's job --in fact it would be hard to do the 9 to 5 thing now..... but I didn't always feel this way ....there are certainly things that you can do to help her adjust to the airline lifestyle.
We have been married almost 13 years -- I was there through flight schooll, CFIing, regional, and now we are at the majors. I was involved in everystep of the journey -- I spent hours helping him study, going through index cards, flows -- I even had some of the stuff memorized. I say all of that not to pat myself on the back, but rather to say it is not just "his" career it is "ours".
To be honest with you though the hardest year of my life was the first year at the regionals. It just sucks and I don't think there is any way around it -- you just have to get through it. My advice . . . Don't move her away from family and friends! No one told us this....and we were thinking it would be better to live at his new domicile. This was the longest year of my life and I HATED HIS JOB. . . .think about it your wife is the one left at home with (in our case a 2 yr old) with no family or friends and barely any $ . . . very depressing. My husband on the other hand was just so excited to be with the regional and flying a "big" plane --and living the "exotic airline lifestyle". I will never forget when he was doing IOE and called from Outback Steakhouse with his crew -- our child had just tried to change their own diaper and had wiped "crap" all over the place. I wanted him to choke on his steak while I was at the Laundromat. I am glad he didn't
Life does get better--much better.
We ended up moving back to where our close friends, church etc were and he commuted (2 hr drive) to a different domicile. I was Much happier after that --- even though $ was still tight at least I wasn't lonely.
This is my 8th year as an airline pilot's wife --and as I said above I Love it. The secret is your wife has to develop a life for herself. I feel like I have the best of both worlds I do my "girl stuff" while he is gone. I am actively involved in our child's school. When he is home we get together with couple friends. I love it when he is home on a school day -- cause that is our date day -- and we don't need a babysiter! We meet him on overnights when we can. He often sends cards, post cards from where he is at. He leaves notes for us to find while he is gone. There are so many little things that you guys can do that will make your family feel special and loved. Our child will never forget when Daddy surprised her and showed up at her Kindergarten graduation. He had rented a car and drove 4 hrs round trip-- But that smile was worth it!
Can it be done -- Absolutely! You just better make it your goal in life to put every bit as much effort in being a good husband and father as you do in pursuing your dream of being an airline pilot.
I love my life and I love my husband's job --in fact it would be hard to do the 9 to 5 thing now..... but I didn't always feel this way ....there are certainly things that you can do to help her adjust to the airline lifestyle.
We have been married almost 13 years -- I was there through flight schooll, CFIing, regional, and now we are at the majors. I was involved in everystep of the journey -- I spent hours helping him study, going through index cards, flows -- I even had some of the stuff memorized. I say all of that not to pat myself on the back, but rather to say it is not just "his" career it is "ours".
To be honest with you though the hardest year of my life was the first year at the regionals. It just sucks and I don't think there is any way around it -- you just have to get through it. My advice . . . Don't move her away from family and friends! No one told us this....and we were thinking it would be better to live at his new domicile. This was the longest year of my life and I HATED HIS JOB. . . .think about it your wife is the one left at home with (in our case a 2 yr old) with no family or friends and barely any $ . . . very depressing. My husband on the other hand was just so excited to be with the regional and flying a "big" plane --and living the "exotic airline lifestyle". I will never forget when he was doing IOE and called from Outback Steakhouse with his crew -- our child had just tried to change their own diaper and had wiped "crap" all over the place. I wanted him to choke on his steak while I was at the Laundromat. I am glad he didn't
Life does get better--much better.We ended up moving back to where our close friends, church etc were and he commuted (2 hr drive) to a different domicile. I was Much happier after that --- even though $ was still tight at least I wasn't lonely.
This is my 8th year as an airline pilot's wife --and as I said above I Love it. The secret is your wife has to develop a life for herself. I feel like I have the best of both worlds I do my "girl stuff" while he is gone. I am actively involved in our child's school. When he is home we get together with couple friends. I love it when he is home on a school day -- cause that is our date day -- and we don't need a babysiter! We meet him on overnights when we can. He often sends cards, post cards from where he is at. He leaves notes for us to find while he is gone. There are so many little things that you guys can do that will make your family feel special and loved. Our child will never forget when Daddy surprised her and showed up at her Kindergarten graduation. He had rented a car and drove 4 hrs round trip-- But that smile was worth it!
Can it be done -- Absolutely! You just better make it your goal in life to put every bit as much effort in being a good husband and father as you do in pursuing your dream of being an airline pilot.
emb 120 driver's wife has some great advice. This life style can be really hard, especially for the commuter. Some times there's no way around commuting though. I have a sick son and we need to be close to his doctors. My wife also says she would rather live close to friends and family because I'm gonna be gone either way but this will allow her to not be alone when I'm gone. I think its harder on me than it is on her. There are lots of good ways to make it work though. We try to focus on the good parts of the life style rather than the bad. State of mind is half the battle. Also, continue to cultivate good professional relationships. If you don't like where you are and you have a friend that is at a better place, they are always willing to help of course just like you would help them if they needed it.
