flynavyj

We're not home to sleep....what of it.

Honestly, it depends on your relationship, and exactly what your partner needs. If you're with a girl/boy who is pretty independent, and ok with essentially a long distance relationship, then all is well. It's the same thing that many other workers face, spend a week in a different city, come home on the weekend, go away for the week.

Your time on reserve will vary by company, at majors, it will vary even more. On the contrary, if you're based where you live, then life on reserve, and off will be pretty good. I used to love finishing at noon, cause it was like an extra day off work. Now that i commute, getting off at noon is great, only cause i can commute home, to be there by dinner....But then, it feels just like a regular work day.

Pontius Pilot

Its a lot better if you live where you're based...commuting leaves little time for a girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse/partner/whatever.

Example: I commute 2 hours, 4 days on, 2 days off. I spend part of my days off commuting. When I get home my wife is usually working. If I'm lucky I get to spend a few hours with her before I end up flying back to my base.

If I lived at base I could just bid reserve the whole time, fly very little and be home most days.

It really depends on how you want to play the game. Unfortunately many people don't seem to live at their domicile, or they get transferred and are forced to commute. You don't want to commute!!!!

Its not the greatest lifestyle in the world for those who are in a serious relationship - especially if you are really close. If you're both more independent and can handle being away, then it works better.

It all depends on the circumstances, but generally you get little time for 'lovin'.

Jake Wheeler

It depends on the wife. Some women have unrealistic conceptions of what being the wife of an airline pilot requires. Date for at least a year so they can get used to the separation.

More often the problem isn't the spouse but the pilot. Being on the road leads to many temptations. All of us have known at least one pilot who was shocked and surprised when his wife divorced him just because he had a little piece of flight attendant on the road.

rickair7777

I'll agree that commuting is a big relationship roadblock. Also, junior pilots who often have to work weekends miss out on social opportunities.

If you're single, live in domicile. Find a local social life.

Commuting is hard to justify unless you have marriage and/or economic ties to a certain city.

FlyJSH

Okay, I guess I'll have to say it.....

Like the song says Love the one you're with
YouTube - Love the One You're With (cheesey video, good song)



Take your happiness where you find it. Have a girl/guy in every port. I like standups the best: only a few hours together so no messing around with costly dinner and drinks. Get right to the Canasta.

Just don't play with your coworkers.

teamdothis

A.I.D.S. aviation induced divorce syndrome

ugflyer

Not many here have answered the original question. Everyone is busy filibustering the hell out of the thread to avoid answering the question which by the way was....."WHEN DO YOU HAVE TIME TO GET SOME LOVIN?".

xjsaab

Here's my list. Companion Restroom at airport. Tell the FO he has to use the Lav for at least Five minutes. Your favorite FA has to come up. Crash Weddings on over nights. If our break time is more than four hours betweens legs the company has to give us a hotel.

ACEAV8R

hahaha and i thought i was the only one who noticed that.

ToiletDuck

If you live in base it can be the best job in the world. If you live out of base it can be the worst. Just know what you're getting into. I've commuted from day 1 and while I wish I didn't have to it's better than leaving Texas IMHO. I'd rather live here and commute then live anywhere else. Too many friends, family, etc.