Airline pilot with young kids
02-20-2019, 04:25 AM
#11
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 6
Family and flying
I have children five and under and started at a regional 11 months ago. In the last year I spent more time “with” my family in the prior five working in a completely unrelated industry that I was home every night in.
What I mean “with” is, once I am home, The cell phone goes on the dresser until my next duty period and my full attention goes to interacting with my family. This is far different than constantly wondering if (and checking up on) supply chain, contracts, and deadlines are going to be made even though I was at home in person.
The single most important key to this experience has been;
Live in base. I cannot express the stress relief walking up to a deadhead home, ticket in hand, after having been bumped from the jumpseat while living out of base multiple times. Being on short call while in base is truly like having a day off when you aren’t called. I love knowing that every time I go to an airport I am going to get credit for being there. The mental gymnastics it takes to sit reserve in a crashpad are excruciating.
FaceTime is key daily and multiple times if at all possible.
When choosing your regional, try to choose one based on where you think you will be comfortable long term. I was shocked how many 15+ year captains I flew with (and grateful for their guidance).
Move on as quickly as possible.
This one is still in the testing phase but at 300 hours logged within the last 12 the ULCCs started paying attention. I pulled the ripcord on a regional before I could get comfortable or even hold a line. I have family in flying that tell me each day not at your long term goal is a day lost in seniority. Lean forward, do everything you can to stand out and take each step up that you can ASAP.
What I mean “with” is, once I am home, The cell phone goes on the dresser until my next duty period and my full attention goes to interacting with my family. This is far different than constantly wondering if (and checking up on) supply chain, contracts, and deadlines are going to be made even though I was at home in person.
The single most important key to this experience has been;
Live in base. I cannot express the stress relief walking up to a deadhead home, ticket in hand, after having been bumped from the jumpseat while living out of base multiple times. Being on short call while in base is truly like having a day off when you aren’t called. I love knowing that every time I go to an airport I am going to get credit for being there. The mental gymnastics it takes to sit reserve in a crashpad are excruciating.
FaceTime is key daily and multiple times if at all possible.
When choosing your regional, try to choose one based on where you think you will be comfortable long term. I was shocked how many 15+ year captains I flew with (and grateful for their guidance).
Move on as quickly as possible.
This one is still in the testing phase but at 300 hours logged within the last 12 the ULCCs started paying attention. I pulled the ripcord on a regional before I could get comfortable or even hold a line. I have family in flying that tell me each day not at your long term goal is a day lost in seniority. Lean forward, do everything you can to stand out and take each step up that you can ASAP.
02-20-2019, 05:01 AM
#12
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
I have children five and under and started at a regional 11 months ago. In the last year I spent more time “with” my family in the prior five working in a completely unrelated industry that I was home every night in.
What I mean “with” is, once I am home, The cell phone goes on the dresser until my next duty period and my full attention goes to interacting with my family. This is far different than constantly wondering if (and checking up on) supply chain, contracts, and deadlines are going to be made even though I was at home in person.
The single most important key to this experience has been;
Live in base. I cannot express the stress relief walking up to a deadhead home, ticket in hand, after having been bumped from the jumpseat while living out of base multiple times. Being on short call while in base is truly like having a day off when you aren’t called. I love knowing that every time I go to an airport I am going to get credit for being there. The mental gymnastics it takes to sit reserve in a crashpad are excruciating.
FaceTime is key daily and multiple times if at all possible.
When choosing your regional, try to choose one based on where you think you will be comfortable long term. I was shocked how many 15+ year captains I flew with (and grateful for their guidance).
Move on as quickly as possible.
This one is still in the testing phase but at 300 hours logged within the last 12 the ULCCs started paying attention. I pulled the ripcord on a regional before I could get comfortable or even hold a line. I have family in flying that tell me each day not at your long term goal is a day lost in seniority. Lean forward, do everything you can to stand out and take each step up that you can ASAP.
What I mean “with” is, once I am home, The cell phone goes on the dresser until my next duty period and my full attention goes to interacting with my family. This is far different than constantly wondering if (and checking up on) supply chain, contracts, and deadlines are going to be made even though I was at home in person.
The single most important key to this experience has been;
Live in base. I cannot express the stress relief walking up to a deadhead home, ticket in hand, after having been bumped from the jumpseat while living out of base multiple times. Being on short call while in base is truly like having a day off when you aren’t called. I love knowing that every time I go to an airport I am going to get credit for being there. The mental gymnastics it takes to sit reserve in a crashpad are excruciating.
FaceTime is key daily and multiple times if at all possible.
When choosing your regional, try to choose one based on where you think you will be comfortable long term. I was shocked how many 15+ year captains I flew with (and grateful for their guidance).
Move on as quickly as possible.
This one is still in the testing phase but at 300 hours logged within the last 12 the ULCCs started paying attention. I pulled the ripcord on a regional before I could get comfortable or even hold a line. I have family in flying that tell me each day not at your long term goal is a day lost in seniority. Lean forward, do everything you can to stand out and take each step up that you can ASAP.
This is great advice and thank you. I know everyone keeps saying to live in base. With our situation, twin girls that are 1, for this to work we will live in the suburbs of Sacramento where my wife’s family will be able to help much. I would have to commute but hopefully somewhere in the same time zone with multiple flights.
Living in base and then being gone where my wife has no help doesn’t seem feasible for us. She will be able to spend time with her entire family and I will have to commute.
Of course commuting across the country wouldn’t be ideal but if it was a quick hour flight to LA or Seattle what are your thoughts?
Thanks again
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02-20-2019, 05:42 AM
#14
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,320
We moved from a place we loved living to our current location to be within 45 minutes of grandparents. Don’t regret it. It has saved on multiple times, and have our kids close to their grandparents was important to us. I desperately miss where we used to live and don’t love it here, but it has been worth it. I understand the decision.
Even an easy commute is a commute. It takes up a lot of space in your brain and adds stress and anxiety. Some deal with it fine, others it’s all encompassing. You will fly with guys on day one of a four day already talking about their commute home and worried about it.
If you have friends at any of the regionals try to get ahold of a bid pack to see their rosters. You’ll be able to see how commutable trips are. If you’re finishing at 7pm in SEA, you might have one option to make it home to SMF, and that’s ALL you’ll be thinking about. One delay and you’ve just lost money in a hotel and 12 hours at home.
You have to roll with the punches, that’s part of the privilege of being able to live where you want. Personally I’d worry less about the frequency of available commuter flights and more about the timing. You’ll want as early a flight as possible (like 5am) and as late coming back home (>10pm) if at all possible. Even better if those flights are on your own metal, and if not, an Airbus (two jumpseats).
And FWIW, I’m from Vacaville.
Even an easy commute is a commute. It takes up a lot of space in your brain and adds stress and anxiety. Some deal with it fine, others it’s all encompassing. You will fly with guys on day one of a four day already talking about their commute home and worried about it.
If you have friends at any of the regionals try to get ahold of a bid pack to see their rosters. You’ll be able to see how commutable trips are. If you’re finishing at 7pm in SEA, you might have one option to make it home to SMF, and that’s ALL you’ll be thinking about. One delay and you’ve just lost money in a hotel and 12 hours at home.
You have to roll with the punches, that’s part of the privilege of being able to live where you want. Personally I’d worry less about the frequency of available commuter flights and more about the timing. You’ll want as early a flight as possible (like 5am) and as late coming back home (>10pm) if at all possible. Even better if those flights are on your own metal, and if not, an Airbus (two jumpseats).
And FWIW, I’m from Vacaville.
02-20-2019, 07:07 AM
#15
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,044
Even an easy commute is a commute. It takes up a lot of space in your brain and adds stress and anxiety. Some deal with it fine, others it’s all encompassing. You will fly with guys on day one of a four day already talking about their commute home and worried about it.
Also must accept that you're going to miss trips. Just can't miss too many, or you'll have to change your game plan.
02-20-2019, 07:14 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: 737 FO/Capt/FO
Posts: 427
All of my personal and professional accomplishments pale in comparison to the joy and satisfaction I get from the kids.
02-20-2019, 09:08 AM
#17
Perennial Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 12,115
02-20-2019, 09:13 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: A-320
Posts: 1,122
I work for AA and lived near Sacramento until I gave up and moved to base (DFW). I was commuting to Phoenix. There were usually 10 flights a day, 5 being on AA where I can reserve the jumpseat. I would typically leave the house 5 hours before I needed to be at work. An hour to get to the airport and get to the gate 30 mins before departure. 2 hour block time to PHX. As far as commutes go, it was really easy. I was in the jumpseat only a few times a year, and that was usually to let another non rev get on. Going home also usually took about 5 hours from the time I ended my trip until I pulled into my driveway. I held commutable 4 day trips. A couple times a year I would get back to base late and miss the last flight home. 10 hours a week going to and from work x 50 weeks a year= 500 hours going to and from work. I was briefly based at LAX. SMF has something like 20 flights a day to LAX but most of them are on regionals, which are usually pretty full. There are quite a few commuters too. Leaving SMF you have American, United, and Delta in terminal A flying RJ's. Southwest is in terminal B, a pain to switch between the two. It also seemed that flights left at similar times, so you had to pick one and hope for the best. I transferred back to PHX, because it was less stressful.
After moving to DFW- I now bid short call reserve. I have done 2 four day trips in the six months I've been here, one of those was for premium pay. A typical assignment for me is getting called sometime in the evening for a late departure to some outstation, spend the night, one or two legs the next day and home early afternoon. I've averaged flying 35 hours a month, getting used 7 days a month. I'll sometimes take flying on my days off to increase my pay. I've been averaging 170 hours a month away from base. That's a third of what I was doing in Sacramento including commute time. We had a full time nanny in Sacramento, that cost somewhere between $1500-2000/mo. Daycare would be about the same. In DFW we decided to use a drop in day care if needed, so far we have been averaging about $150/mo for that. I'm senior enough to hold a line, but I like being home more. As a reserve I'm senior enough now to pretty much make my own schedule. I don't know how reserve usage is at whatever regional you're going to, so I can't guarantee it's like my experience. My family was in Sacramento, and we have no one in DFW. It sucks moving away from them but it was more important to us that our kids have a father around than having grandparents, uncles, cousins.
6 months in everyone is happier here. I have 4 kids ranging from 3 to 18. I haven't missed a birthday, holiday, or school event since moving even though some of those things were on reserve days. After 4 months here my oldest decided she wanted to be a pilot. She had not wanted to previously because she didn't like the idea of being gone so much.
After moving to DFW- I now bid short call reserve. I have done 2 four day trips in the six months I've been here, one of those was for premium pay. A typical assignment for me is getting called sometime in the evening for a late departure to some outstation, spend the night, one or two legs the next day and home early afternoon. I've averaged flying 35 hours a month, getting used 7 days a month. I'll sometimes take flying on my days off to increase my pay. I've been averaging 170 hours a month away from base. That's a third of what I was doing in Sacramento including commute time. We had a full time nanny in Sacramento, that cost somewhere between $1500-2000/mo. Daycare would be about the same. In DFW we decided to use a drop in day care if needed, so far we have been averaging about $150/mo for that. I'm senior enough to hold a line, but I like being home more. As a reserve I'm senior enough now to pretty much make my own schedule. I don't know how reserve usage is at whatever regional you're going to, so I can't guarantee it's like my experience. My family was in Sacramento, and we have no one in DFW. It sucks moving away from them but it was more important to us that our kids have a father around than having grandparents, uncles, cousins.
6 months in everyone is happier here. I have 4 kids ranging from 3 to 18. I haven't missed a birthday, holiday, or school event since moving even though some of those things were on reserve days. After 4 months here my oldest decided she wanted to be a pilot. She had not wanted to previously because she didn't like the idea of being gone so much.
02-20-2019, 11:53 AM
#19
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
I work for AA and lived near Sacramento until I gave up and moved to base (DFW). I was commuting to Phoenix. There were usually 10 flights a day, 5 being on AA where I can reserve the jumpseat. I would typically leave the house 5 hours before I needed to be at work. An hour to get to the airport and get to the gate 30 mins before departure. 2 hour block time to PHX. As far as commutes go, it was really easy. I was in the jumpseat only a few times a year, and that was usually to let another non rev get on. Going home also usually took about 5 hours from the time I ended my trip until I pulled into my driveway. I held commutable 4 day trips. A couple times a year I would get back to base late and miss the last flight home. 10 hours a week going to and from work x 50 weeks a year= 500 hours going to and from work. I was briefly based at LAX. SMF has something like 20 flights a day to LAX but most of them are on regionals, which are usually pretty full. There are quite a few commuters too. Leaving SMF you have American, United, and Delta in terminal A flying RJ's. Southwest is in terminal B, a pain to switch between the two. It also seemed that flights left at similar times, so you had to pick one and hope for the best. I transferred back to PHX, because it was less stressful.
After moving to DFW- I now bid short call reserve. I have done 2 four day trips in the six months I've been here, one of those was for premium pay. A typical assignment for me is getting called sometime in the evening for a late departure to some outstation, spend the night, one or two legs the next day and home early afternoon. I've averaged flying 35 hours a month, getting used 7 days a month. I'll sometimes take flying on my days off to increase my pay. I've been averaging 170 hours a month away from base. That's a third of what I was doing in Sacramento including commute time. We had a full time nanny in Sacramento, that cost somewhere between $1500-2000/mo. Daycare would be about the same. In DFW we decided to use a drop in day care if needed, so far we have been averaging about $150/mo for that. I'm senior enough to hold a line, but I like being home more. As a reserve I'm senior enough now to pretty much make my own schedule. I don't know how reserve usage is at whatever regional you're going to, so I can't guarantee it's like my experience. My family was in Sacramento, and we have no one in DFW. It sucks moving away from them but it was more important to us that our kids have a father around than having grandparents, uncles, cousins.
6 months in everyone is happier here. I have 4 kids ranging from 3 to 18. I haven't missed a birthday, holiday, or school event since moving even though some of those things were on reserve days. After 4 months here my oldest decided she wanted to be a pilot. She had not wanted to previously because she didn't like the idea of being gone so much.
After moving to DFW- I now bid short call reserve. I have done 2 four day trips in the six months I've been here, one of those was for premium pay. A typical assignment for me is getting called sometime in the evening for a late departure to some outstation, spend the night, one or two legs the next day and home early afternoon. I've averaged flying 35 hours a month, getting used 7 days a month. I'll sometimes take flying on my days off to increase my pay. I've been averaging 170 hours a month away from base. That's a third of what I was doing in Sacramento including commute time. We had a full time nanny in Sacramento, that cost somewhere between $1500-2000/mo. Daycare would be about the same. In DFW we decided to use a drop in day care if needed, so far we have been averaging about $150/mo for that. I'm senior enough to hold a line, but I like being home more. As a reserve I'm senior enough now to pretty much make my own schedule. I don't know how reserve usage is at whatever regional you're going to, so I can't guarantee it's like my experience. My family was in Sacramento, and we have no one in DFW. It sucks moving away from them but it was more important to us that our kids have a father around than having grandparents, uncles, cousins.
6 months in everyone is happier here. I have 4 kids ranging from 3 to 18. I haven't missed a birthday, holiday, or school event since moving even though some of those things were on reserve days. After 4 months here my oldest decided she wanted to be a pilot. She had not wanted to previously because she didn't like the idea of being gone so much.
This is all good information. It’s challenging to digest as I’m not extremely familiar with a lot of lingo and am still about 1.5 years out from the regionals. As our family gets ready for me to flight instruct financially it’s only feasible out in that part of California bc my wife’s job pays really well out there and the cost of living is good relative to where we are currently.
All of this chatter is concerning to me on what it will be like.
Isn’t it safe to say that to live in base realistically you will be moving around a lot bc of different base assignments throughout FO and captain at the regional levels and then again if/when you move forward to bigger metal at the majors/legacy?
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02-20-2019, 11:54 AM
#20
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
We moved from a place we loved living to our current location to be within 45 minutes of grandparents. Don’t regret it. It has saved on multiple times, and have our kids close to their grandparents was important to us. I desperately miss where we used to live and don’t love it here, but it has been worth it. I understand the decision.
Even an easy commute is a commute. It takes up a lot of space in your brain and adds stress and anxiety. Some deal with it fine, others it’s all encompassing. You will fly with guys on day one of a four day already talking about their commute home and worried about it.
If you have friends at any of the regionals try to get ahold of a bid pack to see their rosters. You’ll be able to see how commutable trips are. If you’re finishing at 7pm in SEA, you might have one option to make it home to SMF, and that’s ALL you’ll be thinking about. One delay and you’ve just lost money in a hotel and 12 hours at home.
You have to roll with the punches, that’s part of the privilege of being able to live where you want. Personally I’d worry less about the frequency of available commuter flights and more about the timing. You’ll want as early a flight as possible (like 5am) and as late coming back home (>10pm) if at all possible. Even better if those flights are on your own metal, and if not, an Airbus (two jumpseats).
And FWIW, I’m from Vacaville.
Even an easy commute is a commute. It takes up a lot of space in your brain and adds stress and anxiety. Some deal with it fine, others it’s all encompassing. You will fly with guys on day one of a four day already talking about their commute home and worried about it.
If you have friends at any of the regionals try to get ahold of a bid pack to see their rosters. You’ll be able to see how commutable trips are. If you’re finishing at 7pm in SEA, you might have one option to make it home to SMF, and that’s ALL you’ll be thinking about. One delay and you’ve just lost money in a hotel and 12 hours at home.
You have to roll with the punches, that’s part of the privilege of being able to live where you want. Personally I’d worry less about the frequency of available commuter flights and more about the timing. You’ll want as early a flight as possible (like 5am) and as late coming back home (>10pm) if at all possible. Even better if those flights are on your own metal, and if not, an Airbus (two jumpseats).
And FWIW, I’m from Vacaville.
Thanks for this. I would be interested in getting my hands on a FO schedule at compass for example to see why it currently looks like.
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