Freight Dawgs and relationships...

[deserteaglle]

Is it really that much harder to be a freight pilot and a husband than any other kind of pilot, or any other kind of full-time career minded male for that matter?

[Dugie8]

I've noticed the night schedules tend to leave me really tired on the first day at home, thus I want to sleep all day. That can kind of rub the wife the wrong way since she wants to spend time with me and have me occupy the lil one since I have been gone for a week.

[EatSleepFly]

Depends on the type of flying you do. There are a lot of different types of freight schedules- ranging from all day trips and home each night/weekend, to flying every night and home during the days, to 30 on/30 off, to on-demand where you go out when paged on 45 min. notice and could be gone for days, and just about everything in between.

When I was in my last serious relationship, I was flying on-demand freight mostly at night. That was sometimes perfect because she also worked nights. The good was outweighed by the bad though. If we went out anywhere (not too far ever), we always had to drive seperate. My pager would go off right after ordering dinner at a sit down restaurant. Or in the middle of a movie. Or playing a game. Or hanging out with friends. Or...uh...you know.

Sometimes if she was not working and wanted to, she'd ride along with me on trips (the company was cool with it). That was pretty cool.

Now I'm flying freight on more of a schedule, and home every day/night and on weekends. I think she would have liked that a lot better, but she dumped my sorry a$$.

I see a FedEx feeder Van in your avatar. I think for the most part, that is probably the best schedule for a married guy with kids.

[averyrm]

I'm flying scheduled freight every night, and it's working just fine for the wife an me.

[deserteaglle]

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

Depends on the type of flying you do. There are a lot of different types of freight schedules- ranging from all day trips and home each night/weekend, to flying every night and home during the days, to 30 on/30 off, to on-demand where you go out when paged on 45 min. notice and could be gone for days, and just about everything in between.

When I was in my last serious relationship, I was flying on-demand freight mostly at night. That was sometimes perfect because she also worked nights. The good was outweighed by the bad though. If we went out anywhere (not too far ever), we always had to drive seperate. My pager would go off right after ordering dinner at a sit down restaurant. Or in the middle of a movie. Or playing a game. Or hanging out with friends. Or...uh...you know.

Sometimes if she was not working and wanted to, she'd ride along with me on trips (the company was cool with it). That was pretty cool.

Now I'm flying freight on more of a schedule, and home every day/night and on weekends. I think she would have liked that a lot better, but she dumped my sorry a$$.

What company do you work for that you're home everynight and weekend?

I am still in training, and I've been telling my gf that it wouldn't be easy, but she just now realized how it can sometimes be like and she didn't respond well, hopefully she won't dump my sorry a$$ cuz she's worried I'll miss everything.

[averyrm]

I'm home every "night" and 3 day weekends every week here at Airnet.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by deserteaglle

What company do you work for that you're home everynight and weekend?

I am still in training, and I've been telling my gf that it wouldn't be easy, but she just now realized how it can sometimes be like and she didn't respond well, hopefully she won't dump my sorry a$$ cuz she's worried I'll miss everything.

Sounds to me like if she dumps you, Problem solved. You will hate her if she stops you from doing this. You are in a no win situation it looks like to me.

[deserteaglle]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

Sounds to me like if she dumps you, Problem solved. You will hate her if she stops you from doing this. You are in a no win situation it looks like to me.

You're cynical...I'm an optimist.

I love her and want her to be with me and be comforted through tough times, and if she leaves me...I'll move on. It's a WIN WIN situation.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by deserteaglle

You're cynical...I'm an optimist.

I love her and want her to be with me and be comforted through tough times, and if she leaves me...I'll move on. It's a WIN WIN situation.

Denial can be a powerful allie.

[SteveC]

"It's not Denial.
I'm just very selective about the reality I accept."

[deserteaglle]

Originally Posted by SteveC

"It's not Denial.
I'm just very selective about the reality I accept."

Why yes, I refuse to acept your "reality", and choose rather to replace it with my own.

[Flysher]

I work at Airnet, and so far I see no problem with the schedule and I am married. During the weekdays i sleep 9 - 5 ish so theres really not much time to see each other then, BUT at least i come home to her, unlike most other aviation jobs. The weekends are great though, i go to bed around 4 AM and get up around noonish and im good to go for the weekend!

[Texasspilot]

My girlfriends an RJ driver and we've managed to make it work for the past 6 or so months. Id say it should be cake with a regular working GF.

I guess maybe it helps her understand that sometimes the job does get in the way of a night out and lately I've been flyin all night so our schedules have been exactly opposite but it still works. She calls me at 5am and says good mornin and I say goodnight....I call her at 5pm and say goodmornin.

[frog_flyer]

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

My girlfriends an RJ driver and we've managed to make it work for the past 6 or so months. Id say it should be cake with a regular working GF.

I guess maybe it helps her understand that sometimes the job does get in the way of a night out and lately I've been flyin all night so our schedules have been exactly opposite but it still works. She calls me at 5am and says good mornin and I say goodnight....I call her at 5pm and say goodmornin.

isnt that what soflo does with his myspace girlfriend?

[Tim]

Working for an airline period can be tough on the family. Even if you dont fly for living due to shift work and having to work holidays and weekends.

[Bandit_Driver]

Well you definately have to have a very independant woman as a partner in this career. I was dating (my now wife) back when I was a CFII and freight dog. I was also on a pager. The driving 2 car things to every event gets old. She was very supportive of my career even though flying ruined some special events. After sticking out the crapy pay, poor schedules for several years I now have good paying job, good management, and a relatively good schedule.

I would have to say if your GF is giving you crap now you need to sit and and have a long conversation and lay it on the line. You need to be upfront with her about the likely hood of:

Poor Pay
Long Hours
Gone Days at time
Missing Holidays
Essentially being a single parent
etc.

If she is not willing to accept this, it is time to move on. You have to have your GF/Wife behind you 100% in this job, if not you will end up hating work and resenting your GF.

[mtsu_av8er]

I'm home for 2 days every 7-14 days . . . no problem!

[atpwannabe]

Anybody know of a website that actually lists companies operating under Part 135 cargo/freight ops?

I'm thinking that this would be the best way to start out building good (multi-engine/turboprop) time, including possibly PIC time as well. Just wanted to get a feel for what is out there.

Thanks


atp

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by atpwannabe

Anybody know of a website that actually lists companies operating under Part 135 cargo/freight ops?

I'm thinking that this would be the best way to start out building good (multi-engine/turboprop) time, including possibly PIC time as well. Just wanted to get a feel for what is out there.

Thanks


atp

Here ya go buddy - a good FREE listing of most of the companies here in the US, including their equipment.

http://www.raa.org/airline_directory/

This is how I conducted my job search.

HINT: the ones that don't have a web site, just search the internet, they might have one that isn't listed.

It's not the most up to date, but it'll get you headed in the right direction.