ToiletDuck

I keep coming across something I can't explain. People getting married as pilots then letting their wives run the show. My last CFI at TSTC had been a CFI for 3 years and specificly didn't want to go to the regionals because he'd have to move around. So he instead chose a life of living in a rundown home with a tiny beatup car.

I was talking to a MartinAir guy yesterday that was offered a job flying GVs in Arizona making good money but had to turn it down because his wife wouldn't move here. So now he's stuck making $20+k driving caravans at the early and late hours of the day.

I had a guy that wanted to take my CFI position here in Del Rio. He passed his checkride yesterday. Now he calls and says "Thing is I got married in december and I wouldn't be able to move my wife out there". Currently he lives in New Braunsfels which isn't on the otherside of the world or something. I'm offering him over 100hrs a month flying, multi turbine time, easily over $40k a year in a low cost of living environment.

I can't for the life of me understand what in the hell these whimps are thinking. Why on earth would you not bite the bullet and move away for a year to make good money and progress your career? What about all the people that become doctors and get the crappy shifts as interns ect? Why do people not realize that giving a little now pays off big in the longrun? I just want to slap these people. Unless they've got rich wives, which they don't, I just can't see it. Why spend all this time poor with nothing when you could setup a life for yourself. Just because people can't see their wives on a daily basis they want to chunk their whole career. What happens when the industry turns and they quit hiring? Now you're just a broke CFI with no prospects. I can't believe these people. I'm not saying don't go get married if you love her. But think a little. Do what it takes to get ahead and if you two actually love eachother then she'll either be there when you get back, move out there with you, or not care when you get her a house. Eitherway I think it's stupid to let anyone but you run the show and yet still expect to make it out there when you've got other people who are giving it all they've got shooting for the same positions.

I wanted to tell the guy that if he truely felt that way he needs to quit now because any job he wants will be making him move.

Duck

Quagmire

Your post makes sense.... I haven't really met anyone who lets their wives stand in the way of their careers.

I've got it made with my wife She's an accountant by trade, so she takes care of all of the finances and taxes like a pro. She currently has an extremely stable job making 2.5 times my current salary. And she gets a strange kick out of telling all of her friends I'm a pilot.

The downside is that I'm sure as hell not going to pull her away from her current job, so I have to commute to work. That is the advantage of working in the airline world as opposed to 135/corporate.

If I was that guy who turned down the GV job, I would be crushed inside. That plane is gorgeous, as well is the pay associated with it. It might lead to alcoholism and Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome

SikPilot

Marriage is THEE number 1 cause of divorce in this country. Just say NO.

LAfrequentflyer

I love my wife...She has her career and I have mine...We meet in the middle but we both know these are out prime earning years and we are making the most of it...Sometimes that means living apart but more often it means a excellent sex life when we are together.

I know a lot of guys that have given up / lost their careers over women. IN a few years they lost the women as well...IF she stands between you and your dreams / goals - get rid of her and find another.

-LAFF

rickair7777

Best plan is to not get married until you are a regional CA, or better yet, a major FO.

If you have to get married before that point, make sure she REALLY understands what she's getting into...if she is 100% committed to moving to your domiciles it will make life a lot easier, for both of you.

If you are switching careers and are already in an established marriage...good luck.

Squawk_5543

How longs the offer good for? I'm in Dallas and finishing up my CFI stuff. I don't want to instruct up here cuz they dont make crap here.

schoolio

I'm lucky.

My wife will go wherever it takes to make me happy. She's specifically said "I'll go where you go". The fact that she's a nurse makes that 100 times easier, as she can get a job anywhere.

I just got hired at XJT and I'd love to get based in SAT. She doesn't want to move there, but she will if she absolutely has to (it doesn't hurt that she likes SAT; she just doesn't want to move again). I'm going to try to get based a little closer to home to make things easier. I guess the bottom line is that we're both willing to give a little to make this work. And that makes me lucky.

ToiletDuck

The airforce just emailed me and said they would like me to stay at least through December. It was supposed to end on October 1st so take anything they give you and extend it do to the fact they can't do paperwork. When do you finish your CFI I need someone quick. I've had one person respond and he has over 15khrs of 727 time and 31k tt. That's right. 31,000. I'm guessing he was a force retire.

FlyerJosh

Marriage is about TWO people. Good marriages are all about give and take, by both sides of the equation.

I've been fortunate to have a wife that understands my passion for aviation as well as the ins and outs (and ups and downs) of the industry.

When I lost my job after being furloughed, we moved for my career - in part because it meant more overall income and a better quality of life for our family. The down side was that she had to give up a decent job for something that is a lot less desirable. While we like our current lifestyle and surroundings, I know that there will likely come a time when my wife wants to move on in her career. I'll support that and look for a new job, as long as it doesn't put us into financial jeopardy, or put undo strain on our relationship (such as the two of us living on opposite sides of the country).

The truth be told though, these days very few aviation jobs are worth relocating the family for (particularly regional or entry level jobs). This is even more true when the non-flying members of the family are already established in successful jobs that often bring in 3-5 times what a regional FO makes.

Ewfflyer

End the end, Josh has said it best. Marriage is what it is. You legally agreed to support each other, and only a real man wouldn't honor that. It goes both ways, so don't dog these guys for not up and moving. There's 100's of things that might prevent them anyways. Locality, family, stability, just don't like the new area, etc..... This is just with any job, let alone flying.