A Question of Geography

Coney · March 20th, 2007, 00:44

I can't sleep. See, I'm getting pretty close to having the required minimums to apply with many of the regional airlines. That's nice, but there's one nagging concern that's preventing me from enjoying the dawning of a new and hard-earned career: Will I have to drag my wife and three-year-old son across the country, away from much-needed family and my wife's decent paying job? I hear that aspiring airline pilots should sign on with whatever company hires them. But I find myself first wondering if taking a job with a _______ airlines would require uprooting my family.

I admit I don't yet completely understand how the lifestyle works. That is, I know airline pilots live in various places and commute, but I'm unfamiliar with the logistics, the details of how it all works.

Well, those are some of my concerns. Can anyone shed some light on this or offer any insight? Many thanks.

Chris_Ford · March 20th, 2007, 01:09

Stay where you are. Moving across the country for a crappy job (with a family) is not worth it. It might take longer, but with the way hiring has been, you're probably not too far from any particular carrier.

kellwolf · March 20th, 2007, 09:27

If you're wife's got a stable and well paying job, commute. You'll lose a few days off a month, but it's better than forcing her to start all over again in a new city where she doesn't really know anyone at a potentially lower pay rate. If you're in AUS, then XJT would be close to perfect. Eagle wouldn't be too bad either, if you could get DFW.

lnewby · March 20th, 2007, 16:21

Definately commute for your situation. Family help and your wifes stable job are key.

Kristie · March 21st, 2007, 17:11

having a wife with a very stable job makes everything clear as a bell... you stay where you are because she's got stable income coming in and until your income is higher than hers AND stable, you commute.

eastbayk · March 22nd, 2007, 09:19

Coney,
We're in the same situation, except that I'm the wife and our son is nearly 5. A-dub just got hired by ExpressJet. Our plan for now is to stay in Jax and hope he gets based in IAH because it's only 1 flight away. The other bases would be harder to deal with because getting there/back will be more complicated.

We decided we'd try commuting and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, we'll re-evaluate the situation and make some changes. It's not like we are locked into anything. And be sure to disucss the situation with your wife; what she's willing to change might suprise you. I know I've met other pilots who never thought about asking their SO's about it, they just made assumptions that turned out to be wrong.

And if your wife is interested, she should join the forums at http://forums.jetgirls.net/. It's for families of pilots of all types. It's a great support network. Also, I have a blog that I keep about what it's like to be pilot's wife. PM me if you want the address.

Good luck!

Kim

Kristie · March 22nd, 2007, 16:32

Kim, you should put your blog info in your signature!

eastbayk · March 22nd, 2007, 16:37

You know, I did and then I edited it out. I prefer to think that I can post anonymously even though I know that at least half of the people who read it know who I am. I don't know why I keep trying to trick myself like that

http://someday.flyblog.com/

kim