Question for regional pilots?

[SDdriver]

Now that you are flying for a regional, How is your personal life? Do you find it hard to maintain stability in a relationship, or if you are not in one, do you find it hard to find a good relationship with someone because of your work? Serious responses only please.

Good Tailwinds to you all.

SD

 

[xjcaptain]

I fly with a regional, but I'm sure it would be the same with a major. Seniority is everything. With my company, the minimum amount of days off per month is 10. Not the greatest, but not too bad. If you're commuting it doesn't leave you with alot of time at home. On the other hand, with good seniority and living in your domicile with 18 - 20 days off a month, it can be great. I typicaly fly 3 on, then 4 or 5 off. So the answer to your question is a definate maybe. It's very important to be with somebody that is self reliant and can handle taking care of things on their own when you're gone for days at a time. Being gone sometimes can be an advantage also. If you're signifigant other happens to be a bit cranky with you when you leave, chances are they will have forgotten why they were mad when you do get back home!

 

[Typhoon1244]

Bear in mind that the answers you get to this question will be as widely varied as the people who give the answers. As for me...

I've been at ASA for a little over five years. My wife and I have been together for almost exactly five years. We have an eight month old son, and another baby due next March. (No, the second baby wasn't planned. We screwed up...if you'll forgive the pun. Don't get me wrong; we're looking forward to #2...but no more!)

My wife likes the work I do...but she has often said she wishes I had a regular nine-to-five, five-day-a-week schedule like "normal" people do. I'm just senior enough that I don't miss too many birthdays and other occasions...in fact, I got Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve/Christmas off this year. When I do miss something...well, we just celebrate when I get home, and she's cool with that.

Most--no, make that all--of my close friends are pilots and flight attendants. With the new baby(s), I don't see them daily or even every other day. But we do things socially when we can...and we talk on the phone or email regularly.

All things considered, I'd have to say my personal life has improved dramatically since getting hired.

Does that answer your question?

 

[ASAFOE120]

I find it hard to find a good relationship because of my wife!!!


Joking!

If you commute, it makes life tough. If you live in base, everything is much easier and a relationship has a much better chance of survival.
Just my thoughts.

OBTW, my wife has been with me since my first hour. 9 1/2 years ago.

 

[Smoking Man]

Two things that will make the difference between having a semblance of a life, and having a place that you pay for and get to do laundry there every once and a while. Seniority and living in domicile, (in my experience). Even with the above mentioned you can be sure that while you are gone on a trip, the car won’t start, the hot water heater floods the basement, and you were gone, trust me that point will be brought up again and again. Having family in a reasonable distance or great neighbors, (remember them during Christmas) will ease the time that you are gone. Is it hard to have a relationship, I guess it depends how much each half is willing to put into it.

Best of Luck,

Smoking Man


4+ years

 

[328dude]

Im like Smiking Man with the exception that I don't live in Domicile. If it wasen't for my neighbors, who knows what would happen. Working in PIT and living in Oklahoma does have some serious commutibility issues, but I only do it for my wifes sake. If you do own a home and are away a good part of the month, make sure that you have the help you need around your house in case things go bad. Ex. electrician, gardener etc etc.

Why are gardners so darn expensive? LOL

With the exception of the cummute, my wife and I handle things pretty well.

2.6 years.
reserve capt.

 

[chawbein]

Why are gardners so darn expensive? LOL

You obviously don't have enough illegal aliens (undocumented workers for you touchy-feely-libs) in your neck of the woods or lawn care would be cheap.

 

[SDdriver]

Thanks for all of the great responses guys. I am single now and getting older and looking to move to the regionals, but I am just concerned about how easy it is to find a good relationship and maintain one with the regional life. Night frieght for quite a few years just destroyed the last relationship I had so I am not wanting to make the same mistake twice. Thanks again and any other helpfull advice is much appreciated.

Fly safe fellows..

SD