Any husband & Wife pilots???
 

Hello to all,

I am wondering if there are any husband and wife full-time pilots out there. My girlfriend and I are both attending Embry-Riddle Prescott as aspiring commercial pilots. We both love to fly and have always wanted to be airline pilots. We have been dating for 2+ years and I would love to marry her. I worry about the QOL down the road though. I know that the first years will probably be the worst always being away from each other. I also know that how much time we get to spend together on a month to month bases will depend on our luck in the scheduling department. She is from DFW and I am from SMF. I like DFW and wouldn’t mind living there. Any suggestions?? Any been there..done that tips?? Thanks

Both Pilots: Husband and Wife
 

Hello to all,

I am wondering if there are any husband and wife full-time pilots out there. My girlfriend and I are both attending Embry-Riddle Prescott as aspiring commercial pilots. We both love to fly and have always wanted to be airline pilots. We have been dating for 2+ years and I would love to marry her. I worry about the QOL down the road though. I know that the first years will probably be the worst always being away from each other. I also know that how much time we get to spend together on a month to month bases will depend on our luck in the scheduling department. She is from DFW and I am from SMF. I like DFW and wouldn’t mind living there. Any suggestions?? Any been there..done that tips?? Thanks

I used to fly a beechjets with a guy who also flew it often with his wife.... he said it was like going on vacation all the time. He absolutely loved it.

I have known a few couples that are both pilots. Seems to be working for them. I don't have a lot of other info other than that.

I caught a jumpseat on an NWA A320 jumpseat a few years back. The Capt. and f/o were husband and wife. They seemed to be having a lot of fun flying together.

Do you want kids? If so, will you try to be gone at the same time or home separately so a parent is always there?

My college buddy married his college sweetheart, both pilots. Last year he was flying for American and she for Eagle. A couple months ago he quit to go work for as an inspector for the local FSDO. His decision was made primarily to improve quality of life for him and his family.

I wouldn't say it's impossible, just difficult, especially if you have kids. Ask any pilot who's married a flight attendant (there are more than a few!). You make the decisions that are necessary and right. I applaud my friend for his incredible commitment to family.

Strong you will have to be very very very strong!

Way back in the day, I flew a B727 S/O trip for one of the first husband/wife teams at FDX. He was the capt and she the F/O. It was like being an uninvited guest in someone's home: they bickered the whole trip. He tried to give her some much needed flying lessons and she kept telling him to shut up. In today's more CRM aware cockpit, I would have called in sick for the rest of the month with a pair like that.

I don't know you or your future wife, but I do know that I can name many more divorced pilot couples than I can those that have stayed together over a career.

Just something to consider.....

I would also love to know... in fact I'd been thinking about posting the same thing!
My significant other and I are also both working pilots. Since I've been living on the road, we've been getting to see each other about once a month. Essentially it's a long distance relationship. It's been working out though, probably because we've been together for several years already (no trust issues or anything), and we're both pretty independent.
We should be able to see each other more often once I get into the airlines... anything more than right now (once a month) sounds good enough to me!

Some can handle it, some can't... some don't WANT to. I guess you have to find that special kind of person who understands and supports your career and lifestyle.
btw, I hear the divorce rate for pilots is pretty high, but then again, the divorce rate in general is high.