Is it hard to have a family in aviation?

Caiss · Post by **Caiss** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:08 pm

How hard Is it hard to have a familly in this industry?, im young and was thinking about becoming a pilot but i would like to have a familly in a couple years and i was just wondering if it was difficult. Can you give me your thoughts on it? like if i'll have to move often and far away from home and if ill be away from home most of the time?

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:37 pm

Caiss wrote:How hard Is it hard to have a familly in this industry?, im young and was thinking about becoming a pilot but i would like to have a familly in a couple years and i was just wondering if it was difficult. Can you give me your thoughts on it? like if i'll have to move often and far away from home and if ill be away from home most of the time?

Yes.. Yes it will be unless you have an understanding wife. And even then she might be "all for it" but as time moves on and you're ramping north and she's south for 3 years..

I think its much harder in the earlier years. And if you have a family, you'll need to make the choice what comes first family or career....

Cleared to FL370 · Post by **Cleared to FL370** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:54 pm

Well Caiss, that's a tough question. There is no question that the Transportation industry itself can be hard on a marrige. Wether your a truck drive, pilot, or Railway engineer, the facts are that you are going to be spending time away from home.
There will be anniversary's and birthdays that you will miss as you will be away, where a 9-5 job m-f you'd be home for.
Early in my career before my wife and I were married I worked up north for a number of years, and it was hard as I'd be gone for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. During that time the job came first.

Now, after 5 years of marrige and 2 children later, sure the job is important it's paying the mortage after all, but my family is by far most important. Shift trading and such comes into play to try and be home for the birthdays and such, and thankfully I work at a place were I do have a good schedule (For a pilot). And I am home 18-22 days a month. Most importantly having an understanding spouse at home (which I have) If you want a career in aviation you will be making sacrifices, but it does have it's rewards as well,
Pm me, if you want to chat more.

classiv · Post by **classiv** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:19 pm

Until you become Captain on a jet, be prepared to take a vow of poverty.

If you have a rich wife, however, who doesn't mind living in Fort Blah Blah for 5 plus years, by all means go for it!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:26 pm

Now when you go up north starting out in the industry: do you have any time off to spend on a ticket to head south for a weekend here and there? These are things I think about aswell.

Blue Yonder · Post by **Blue Yonder** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:30 pm

classiv wrote:Until you become Captain on a jet, be prepared to take a vow of poverty.

And when this happens, be prepared to be away from home a lot more. The bigger and faster the airplane, the further and longer you're away.

Blue

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:03 pm

Its easy to have a family in this business - I've had a couple of 'em.

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:26 am

xsbank wrote:Its easy to have a family in this business - I've had a couple of 'em.

XS you made my day!

skyundertow · Post by **skyundertow** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:42 am

Mine too! Hahaha!!

Techopsgirl · Post by **Techopsgirl** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:00 pm

just be ready for the dreaded A.I.D.S. that many of us in aviation have suffered through (Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome)!

N2 · Post by N2 » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:11 pm

If I were you I would always keep family first. A job can be replaced but a family can't!

...but look on the brightside...kids love Kraft dinner too!

737 Mech · Post by **737 Mech** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:30 pm

Hey man.... any family/wife/husband can be difficult because it requires a bit of work sometimes to get through the rough patches, sometimes people use their industry as an excuse to give up, being a professional you will be expected by your employer to put your life on the back burner ...it's up to YOU to put your family first. This industry is demanding more so for pilots than say someone like myself who gets to go home everynight....its just I go home in the morning after the planes are fixed and flying but at least I see my family everyday...well until I crash on the couch.

Give it a whirl.

neophyte · Post by **neophyte** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:58 pm

I am with you guys, put your family first.

Don't get me wrong, I love flying, and I can't wait to go to work BUT if you spend all your time thinking about when the perfect time will be and when can you afford it, you will wake up one day and realise you are wasting your life away.

There is no perfect time, go get a lady/man and have some babies.

If you don't want babies, tell your wife you want to practice a little bit first

N

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:39 am

Classiv wrote:

Until you become Captain on a jet, be prepared to take a vow of poverty.

Well I have never flown a jet and I also can't remember the last time I ate KD or couldn't afford a nice bottle of Glenlivet's. I also know many people in all facets of aviation who have never flown jets who are in the same situation, so Jet doesn't automatically mean Prosperity. Just ask any ex-JetsGo Captain.

Aviation also doesn't hold exclusive rights to the "Industry that is the most difficult to raise a family in". It is no different than many industries. It is all about who you marry and where you set your priorities. If you let your job/career come ahead of your family, it won't matter what industry you are in, there will be problems.

I have been fortunate in the fact that I have a great wife and two fantastic kids, but I have also provided them with a stable life. I never got into chasing the rainbow and yes there were many times when I wanted to but you will quickly learn that with a family, it is not just about you anymore and there will be many things you will never get to do. Just accept it and if you can't, don't have a family.

I certainly don't have any regrets, but would I have liked to have done overseas work, flown a jet and travelled around the world, you bettcha, but I would never be willing to give up the life and family I have, for it.

Accept the fact that there will be some lean years as there is for any young couple starting out, regardless of what occupation you are in. There could also be some places you will end up living that aren't the greatest but accept the fact that it is only short term and make the best of it while you are there. Don't sit counting the days until you are out or you will drive yourself crazy. You may find there are job offers that you will have to turn down because it wouldn't be the best for the family even though your career would benefit. There will be time away from home, but it is not the end of the world. Lots of people spend time away and have great marriages and great kids. I have spent a lot of time away from home over the years, but my kids grew up knowing nothing different so it was no big deal.

It not about the amount of time you spend with your kids, its about the quality of time you spend with them. OK that's it, I sensed some Dr. Phil happening here and that is where I draw the line.

Good luck with your future family!

Is it hard to have a family in aviation?

Is it hard to have a family in aviation?

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