What hope for two-pilot relationships?

[Hawker rider]

Woman play around just as much if not more than man do.

It's just that they are a lot more tactfull doing and hiding it.

 

[atrdriver]

Am I the only one who thinks that female pilots tend to be .. how can I put this delicately .. butch? Although to their credit, they look like a million bucks compared to most of the "female" railroaders I've seen. Maybe you pilots just need to get out a little more.

I asked my FO the other day if he had seen one of our new female FO's, and he said no. I commented that she was pretty cute. He asked if she was "cute", or "aviation cute". I thought that was a pretty astute observation.

 

[TIGV]

Hope ?

There is none...AIDS will follow which normally includes your losing more than half your sh!t, get a good lawyer to formulate your prenup, the $300K days are gone, can you afford to lose over half of $ 50 to 80k a year ???

 

[English]

If they both work and make the same, no ones "loses" or "gets" anything, in terms of material possessions and money.

That's another benefit to marrying a pilot, or at least a professional that works. If you marry a woman (or man, for that matter) that insists on not working, when the marriage fails you'll be liable for spousal support. Not so if you both work and make the same amount of money.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

It's just that they are a lot more tactfull doing and hiding it.

Nothing I have observed supports this theory. They are just as dumb about it as most men.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

when the marriage fails you'll be liable for spousal support. Not so if you both work and make the same amount of money.

That's why there is the ever-handy pre-nup.

 

[Traderd]

Interesting stuff.

I am married to a pilot (maybe/maybe not furloughed). I am retired military but we flew together in the service (same cockpit often). She has been 121 for about 4 years. 20 or so days a month on the road. I am self employed so I can pretty much travel to spend time with her whenever I want. "Daddy" may show up unannounced at a layover (we have our own ac) so maybe it helps keep the mouse in the correct maze.

I think the life is OK, but I'm not sure it is worth it for the relatively low pay and bennies. It is not that hard on our relationship, but then again we are both in our 40's and it may be a lot tougher on 20 somethings. I had a failed marriage while on AD and I believe that the military is most definitely tougher on a marriage and the kids.

She is not butch, she is petite, blond and (I had better say this since she reads this forum) the most beautiful and intelligent woman in the world. Actaully, I do believe that to be the truth .

The poster that mentioned strong personalities is quite correct. You just don't meet a lot of pilots that aren't high on themselves and control freaks. Put two of them together and you get fireworks of one kind or another.

Still not a member of the MHC. Just don't trust those **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** autopilots or another pilot for that matter!!

Good luck. Be faithful (it's worth it believe me) and keep the career options open just in case. I will say this, if you believe this career will screw up a relationship that otherwise is on a sound foundation (especially with kids) drop the job and never look back. It takes a while but sooner or later we all begin to understand priorities.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

What about the financial realities? I knew quite a few pilot/pilot and pilot/flight attendant couples at US Airways who suddenly found themselves BOTH out of work with a family to support?

It seems when you're dating and things are getting serious that should be a consideration. Whats plan "B" if suddenly we both find ourselves furloughed?

Similarly, I have a close friend who has found himself in a pickle. Both he and his wife were Captains at a large regional. They had learned to live at (or slightly above) their means as a two-income family, both making pretty good pay. When she left the airline to have children they found that the single income just isn't cutting it. So IF you do this, then try to budget for a single income -- save the rest for your next furlough, or for your retirement.

We dont work for the same company but my wife and I have budgeted so that if either one of us should lose our job, our mortgage and monthly expenses can be absorbed by the other. We would not have to change our lifestyle. It takes a bit of restraint, but it makes short periods of lost income much easier to deal with. (furloughs, unpaid initials, leaves of absence, etc...)

 

[88_MALIBU]

I am dating a nurse who makes exactly the same wages as I will as a first year FO. Its pretty bad. She can travel with me whenever or whereever I move to through travel nursing, and make more $$. I dated a gal who was aspiring to be a pilot, but we always argued over whose airplne we would take on cross country's-lol. She dumped me.haha

 

[bigD]

I dated a pilot a few years ago, and it just didn't work out too well. Like everyone mentioned, it was just too much Type A in one place. Also, she continually dealt with guys that had a "women shouldn't fly" attitude, and therefore was hyper-sensitive to anything and everything I said. I felt like I was constantly walking on egg shells.

The "butch" comment got me thinking though - I've been hearing a lot of high pitched, dainty, bobbly head blonde type voices on Houston Center lately. Can any of you regional pilots tell me if there has been a rash of "hiring cute chicks", or is that cute bubbly voice coming out of a 300lb frame? I bet Hugh knows the answer to this!

 

[Bluto]

I guess I'm having a tough time imagining being compatible with the female equivalent of my ego, "pilot personality," etc. It seems like she'd be too much like me...Any comments on pilot personality as it relates to attraction and long-term compatibility?

Once you've been around this industry a little longer you'll probably find that the "pilot personality" you've heard so much about is basically a lot of crap. There are all different kinds of pilots with all different kinds of personalities and backgrounds. I married a pilot, she got furloughed and decided to give it up after enjoying the thrills of regional life on reserve . If you enjoy being with someone their choice of career should have little to do with it. Honestly though, I don't know how people do it when both are working at the same time. She and I took turns being furloughed, so it wasn't too bad.

 

[88_MALIBU]

or is that cute bubbly voice coming out of a 300lb frame

LOL Good one

 

[Ineedabrew]

Thank God I am not the only one.

Wow, I thought I was the only pilot married to a pilot. Its been quite interisting. We just had a baby and since my wife is a Captain at an Airline and I am not(F.O)
I get to be a stay home dad. Thinking of going back to Intructing part-time.

I really do need a brew!

 

[Ailerongirl]

Am I the only one who thinks that female pilots tend to be .. how can I put this delicately .. butch? Although to their credit, they look like a million bucks compared to most of the "female" railroaders I've seen. Maybe you pilots just need to get out a little more.

If I didn't think they'd shoot me, I'd post a link to two of my best friends....one's a Capt, one's an F.O. I have a great pic of them in the boxoffice flying a trip together. Both are hot, and neither has that female pilot mentality you guys were talking about. Those of you that know me, will know them! The interesting thing is that both are married to pilots. One husband works at the same regional, and the other at a different regional. Both have learnt how to make it work, and both treasure the time they get to spend with their spouses. Noone will ever understand the industry's pros and cons as well as another pilot (or F/A!)

 

[bigD]

I have a great pic of them in the cockpit flying a trip together.

In that situation it's not a cockpit - it's a box office.

 

[Ailerongirl]

In that situation it's not a cockpit - it's a box office.

Phaseology noted, and edit complete

 

[jetalc]

Thats a good thing

I am also married to a pilot. We also flew for the same company at one time, although that is not the case now. One of the biggest pluses is that I am with someone (as is she) who understands this business and the difficulties it can put on a relationship, and we are therefore better prepared to handle them.

But more than that, she is just an absolutely wonderful person and the best friend I could ever hope to have. The fact that she is a pilot is really just a footnote. I married the person, not the pilot.

I KNOW you didnt marry her for her looks.

An what ever happenen to that CS scum thread?

 

[Lear2460]

I think that it would be difficult to be married to a pilot if you yourself were one.....I think the different schedules would make a couple just like phantoms crossing in the night.....and if you have kids, I think having a healthy family relationship would be just about impossible.

Not being a pilot myself, but having dated pilots who I can fly right seat with, is great. On my time off, I can tag along, he does his own thing as a pilot, I have fun too....learning all the way as well. I work at a FBO where my love of aviation shines through and it gives us a definate subject to discuss at dinner. Going along on trips also helps me understand pilot frustrations and good things, that can help me adjust how I treat pilots in my working enviroment.

I do think with any relationship involving a "pilot" type, you have to have good trust built or it will never make it........

The Mice will play...........

 

[Alchemy]

The "butch" comment got me thinking though - I've been hearing a lot of high pitched, dainty, bobbly head blonde type voices on Houston Center lately. Can any of you regional pilots tell me if there has been a rash of "hiring cute chicks", or is that cute bubbly voice coming out of a 300lb frame? I bet Hugh knows the answer to this!

They'll hire anyone with a pulse! I'm living proof! There were 2 girls out of 31 in my newhire class. Butch was not an issue for them. That ratio has been pretty consistent in the other classes I've seen.