bigboeings

It's really not as bad as some say. I've been married 23 yrs. to the same wife. There are times when it's a bit difficult. Missed birthdays, Christmas Etc..., but the upside of having 15 days off, some during the week is priceless. As an added bonus we home school so we are flexible.

Many different stories I realize.

Day4mx

I've been with the same chick 6 years. Two furloughs. She's seen the good and bad. That being said, even as a commuter, I have a family life better than most. My brother who works a 9-5 has a kid the same age as mine. I guarentee I see my two kids more than he sees his. Not that he's not a good dad but I'm home and off way more than he is. I bring no work home. My family life couldn't be better. My golf game is in shambles. My social life is just as bad but its all about priorities.

RedGuy

Sounds like you've got it all worked out

Still didn't add in the cost of propane, which will be a lot in the winter, RV's aren't insulated well at all. If your buying a new/newer RV your also paying for the cost of depreciation they depreciate worse than cars. Plus there's the pain of dealing with the water and waste especially in the winter. It would make moving easier, but how often do you plan to move? Once every couple years? If you really want to try this, I highly suggest you buy an older RV cheap first. At least for me living out of a tiny RV would get old real fast. I had a travel trailer for several years, but the most time I ever stayed in it was 2 weeks, that was enough for me.

cptmel98

Its called insight, being around these type of situation. Having that type of POV.

Nantonaku

Nice catch. Not sure how a college student first asks the question and then proceeds to lecture everyone.

If you get married and become a pilot plan on an 80% probability of getting divorced. 70% probability your spouse will cheat on you while you are on a trip.

Good luck.

Airbum

cptme is my new favorite. Please don't stop educating those of whom you have asked questions.

Hawaiiavi8er

I agree. If you want to have a family don't do it, I would say only 5-10% of the guys I fly with are happily married on the first try. Most I fly with are divorced multiple times.
Here are some true stories
1. My story, my brother was visiting me for 4th of July (I was on an overnight) my girl was no where to be found, he goes to her work and finds her hooking up with her boss. I dumped her instantly.
2. A buddy of mine married for 6 years came home a couple days early to suprise his wife, she's not home, he goes to her work after hours to find her bent over getting plowed.
3. A guy I know happily married for 9 months has a new born baby, they both are white and the baby came out black. So needless to say she was cheating.
4. On the other side of things I flew with a guy hooking up with a flight attendant, well she was psychotic and found his wife on face book and she told her.
But yeah man good luck with that whole family things as a pilot.

higney85

You claim nice catch but then spew personal % views. I'd love to see your proof on an industry level.

Folks with a M-F 9-5 will have complaints. Folks (pilots) gone half the month (or more) will have complaints.

It's the relationship and expectations between you and your significant other that will give you a true reality and prospective. If the match isn't ideal, yea, you are going to have a rough time. If both sides are on the same page, it can be just fine.

Been with my wife for the last 10 years, my parents (airline schedule) have been married 35. It's clearly understood reality and expectation and works well. Saw it all first hand and live it now. Sometimes it's a rough 2 weeks, and then you get told "go pick up a trip". Other times it's been 2 weeks and it becomes "hey, we miss you, when are you coming home"... It takes the right significant other for sure, but if it starts off with sugar coating, it's going to end badly. Truth is the best policy. If you are home more than expected, it's a bonus.

Mjm8710

It's all prospecitive...is it hard, yes. Is it impossible to have a good relationship with your family, no. Is it much worse than people with a career outside of the airlines? No way.

The hardest part is missing the holidays. I've been at my airline over two years now and still haven't had a single holiday off-with time that will change hopefully.

Living in base would be your best bet, and finding a significant other that is very independent, supportive, and has a compatible schedule.

Think about this..most guys/gals in the industry average 11-15 days off each month (the senior people much more), plus two weeks vacation or more each year. Those are full days off each month, if you don't commute, that's a lot of time at home. Add to days you're on reserve and don't get called. The average person outside of the industry works 5 days, possibly 6 days a week stuck behind a desk working with the same people and listening to the same old stories everyday. Sounds like a nightmare. Sure they are home every night but when you have to wake up at 6am everyday and don't get home from work until 5-6pm that's not really much time to do anything, just enough to cook dinner, do some work, and go to bed...then two full days off a week to do whatever. Half my trips end early in the morning on my last day or start late at night the first day so add that to time at home. Add days I don't get called on reserve. It really isn't as bad as some people make it!! Some months I'm home 20 full days a month, other months I work my butt off and am right at min days off.

You will feel it's a huge adjustment when you first start, and some people may not understand why you miss the holidays, and can't really plan things more than a month out, but it gets easier over time.

FYI I personally have had zero issues holding a relationship with this job. You need to weed out the needy bishes initially though. Then again, I don't commute. Guess I've been lucky so far.

ScottyDo

If you're still in college and already worrying about "family life", then maybe an airline career isn't for you.