8 Months and Counting

970Flyer · December 26th, 2007, 00:21

Hello All,

I am a few months from being ready for the regionals and my wife just pulled the 'ol "two pink lines" trick on me. I'm 100% excited, 100% nervous, and 100% confused as to what to do with my aviation plans.

My wife is very supportive of my plans, but in the end I just don't know if I can stand the thought of possibly sitting in a crash pad on reserve in Atlanta while my child is being born or even missing that first month. At the same time, I know that seniority is everything and don't want to push back my plans.

I am really torn between moving forward and putting everything on hold for a year. Any thoughts?

3green · December 26th, 2007, 08:35

I know the feeling. I gave up a 121 job last summer due to my baby being born 2 months ago. I made the right decision for me, but everyone is different. I knew that being there when he was born was once in a lifetime, and in the end there would always be another job. Now that he's here and I start ground school at another airline in a month everything has worked out. With the current hiring trend and the importance of family I know I made the right decision. Your family will be there for you if your there for them, not sure I can say the same about corporate america and airlines in general...

skidz · December 28th, 2007, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by 970Flyer

Hello All,

I am a few months from being ready for the regionals and my wife just pulled the 'ol "two pink lines" trick on me. I'm 100% excited, 100% nervous, and 100% confused as to what to do with my aviation plans.

My wife is very supportive of my plans, but in the end I just don't know if I can stand the thought of possibly sitting in a crash pad on reserve in Atlanta while my child is being born or even missing that first month. At the same time, I know that seniority is everything and don't want to push back my plans.

I am really torn between moving forward and putting everything on hold for a year. Any thoughts?

Honestly, congratulations, I envy you, and I wouldn't think twice about staying with wife and child for a first month, i'd probably look for a job after that. Good luck man.

ZapBrannigan · December 28th, 2007, 16:41

My son is 18 months old now. The day he was born I was in Bedford Mass on a trip. THANKFULLY the company I worked for is ultra employee friendly. We've never had a pilot miss the birth of a child. So they cancelled the remainder of our day and allowed us to ferry the airplane home. Made it with minutes to spare.

You're going to have a blast. Go out and buy a book called "Babywise". It's the bible and will help you retain your sanity by getting you back to a normal night's sleep ASAP.

970Flyer · December 29th, 2007, 11:49

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas everyone! I have decided to not fly until this period of my life is stable. I don't think that I would be doing anyone (wife,myself, mortgage company, paying px, captains, etc.) any favors by taking a flying gig. It's just not in anyone's best interest. Hopefully things will be settled down in a year and I can concentrate on aviation, if it's something that I still want to persue.

As far as sleep goes, I am amazed at how little I now need. Four or five hours a night is about all I can handle.

Bandit_Driver · December 30th, 2007, 01:37

Congrats!

Going to an airline now doesn't mean you will definately miss the birth but it would be a good possiblity sicne you will have little or now Vacation or Sick time available and will not be covered by FMLA.

Don't forget to factor in Health Care. Some airlines have a 90+ day waiting period before you can get on their insurance. Just had a buddy get burned on that. Switch jobs and can't get coverage for 3 months and his wife is 2 months preganant.

IMO the airlines will still be there next year, especially the regionals if you are just starting out. I have took the first month off after the birth of my daughter and plan doing the same for #2 who is do shortly.

What are you doing currently?

Don't forget to tell your wife about http://forums.jetgirls.net/

Congrats again

970Flyer · January 5th, 2008, 16:38

I'm currently working as a real estate agent (AKA "Land Pimp"). I left aviation a few years ago out of post 9/11 frustration and really miss it today.

Tell your friend to do some research on state assisted programs. I know we have one here in Colorado that will allow you to get coverage even with a pre-existing condition. I'm pretty sure many other states do as well.

FlySooner9 · January 9th, 2008, 00:32

this brings up a question i've been wondering. How do you work around baby births? obviously i would never miss the birth of my child, but how do you do that while working for airliens? just try to bid around the due date? or is there another trick?