Is it worth it in the end??

[Jeff775621]

my pops did the same for me.

 

[AerroMatt]

^5

my pops did the same for me.

My pops did the same for me at the age of 9. After that, my future was set.

 

[NEDude]

From what I have seen, most of the people who say not to get into this industry have never worked in another industry. It is a case of the grass being greener. I have worked "real" jobs. I lived in cubicle land for a few years making twice what I have ever made in aviation. But in order to make that kind of money I was never home. 10+ hours every day in the office. Add the commute in rush hour traffic ten times per week. I left the house around 7:30 am and was home around 7 pm at night. Brining work home from the office. Sometimes at the office on weekends. Lots of time on the road for business trips as well. Sure, I slept in my bed at night (when not on a business trip), but my kids were almost in bed when I came home, and usually not up in the morning when I left. My wife was so tired when I got home that she didn't really want to do much. My point is I really wasn't home much, and it wasn't really quality time.

Sure aviation is hard, and it is an unconventional lifestyle. But when I am home, I am fully home. I get to help my kids with homework. Take them to school, doctors appointments and such. My wife and I have fun getting to do the "daily grind" stuff together. Grocery shopping is usually accompanied by a lunch date. We have fun cooking together. We have spent days on end together working on projects around the house. And the travel benefits have allowed us to make trips, both as a couple, and as a family, that we would not have been able to make otherwise. No, it hasn't always been smooth sailing, but focus on the stuff that this lifestyle affords you, not what makes it different, and it will go much better. This was advice a just retired United pilot told me several years ago. He and his wife had three kids and had been married nearly 40 years.

 

[av8er2]

I love flying but I am looking to get out due to the lifestyle and the poor state of the airlines.

 

[STREAKS]

Im just a student in college debating if I want to become a professional pilot. I will be married in a few years and will have kids in the future. How much time is spent away from family? Is there any time with family? Is it worth it for the love of flying? I love flying so much but i want to keep a happy family. Should i go for it or is it too hard on the family? Is it practible and enjoyable to be a pilot and have a family? Any feedback is great, Thanks.

Worth it!

Fair to point out that your marriage and family life will be more secure if you don't commute. I can't say that for the last 3 months I didn't entertain the idea of leaving the 7am-9pm diaper changing craze behind and jettin' off for a week or six, but then again, I've been unemployed since October and would do anything to fly again.

To stick to the topic, yes, it's worth the pain and constant separation. The key is finding a partner willing to put up with your crazy childhood dream. It is my understanding that foreign chicks are gaga for pilots and will sacrifice everything in their lives just to be with one and bare babies; I could be wrong.

On the subject of enjoyment, yes. Everything is possible as long as you're willing to work your skinny little A$$ off for it. That means being twice the husband/father on your days off.

 

[gringo]

It is my understanding that foreign chicks are gaga for pilots and will sacrifice everything in their lives just to be with one and bare babies; I could be wrong.

Not necessarily wrong, but not exactly right, either- having married a Brazillian (who's perfectly fluent in English), I speak with some authority on this.

First of all, I HIGHLY recommend marrying a girl from South America- they're raised differently than their American counterparts, which basically means they're much more nurturing.

But if you plan on marrying a girl, bringing her over to a foreign country, surround her with completely new things and remove her from her circle of friends and family, you have to understand that you're the ONLY LIFELINE she has- if you think she'll be comfortable or happy while you leave for a week or 2, leaving her completely alone, it simply won't last. The reality is, she'll probably find something "on the side". I've seen it done countless times- sure, happy marrages DO happen in the airlines when you transplant your signigficant other from another country, but it's even harder than you'd think.

As far as the "gaga" part, it's been my experience that those types of girls more often than not fall into the "gold digger" category- the really good ones know us for who we really are- (mostly a bunch of horny male sluts.)imp:

Anyway, just wanted to give a dose of reality.

For me, quitting the airlines for my wife was the best decision I could have made, and I thank god everyday that I did. I can't even imagine how depressed she would get if I was gone all the time, leaving her alone with the cats.

When you find the right one, it'll all make sense, no matter what your decision.

 

[fly4unclesam]

Interesting thread. I am 5 years short of reaching my 20 in the Air Force and am trying to decide whether to retire and go to the airlines or stay in and maximize my miltary retirement (although if I do that my flying days are over). Personally, I want to retire and begin an airline career. I would be interested in any advice from retired military folks who did retire at 20 and how they rate the lifestyle they had as a military aviator with what they have currently encounter at their companies.

Thanks

 

[gringo]

Do your 20, go Guard and do both.

Every mil pilot I've flown with who was happy did just that- I would have given my left nut to have that opportunity.

 

[Almerick07]

I got out of aviation just recently and could not be more excited about my decision. I just wish I would have devoted as much time and effort (nevermind money) to my new career and flew on the side for fun. Flying for me became miserable, I dreaded showing up to work and the last 2 weeks were absolute horrible. I loved flying, I loved traveling, I loved being gone from home. Doing it on a regular basis and most of all as a living made me hate it. Right now I am in the first stages of a career in financial services (which I am also passionate about) and can already see the future fortunes that are awaiting me on the horizon. I plan on building an airplane with some property and a grass strip in the back yard so I can fly for FUN. I am not married and dont have kids but plan on both in the next few years and could not imagine doing it as a pilot. My recommendation would be to fly for fun and make a living by other means. Just jump over to the regional and major section and listen to all the b!tching thats going on....is that where you want to be in a few years?

 

[pgcfii2002]

Yes, but be ready to give up half of everything you own when she divorces you.......