relationships and aviation: scheduling issues

I would say that the only scheduling conflicts that can't be flexible are those of life and death; literallly. Maternity and bereavment should be the only leaves that you can expect to have off. Everything else you can just kind of hope for.

I'm really not good at dealing with others (especially women) that can't put things in perspective as such.

I would have asked for it up front, most people understand when you take a new job you may have had prior commitments. Worst case they say no.

LOL. 3 relationships had gone south to that. Their response, "Why would you subject yourself to that? They work you all the time, and odd hours! It's NOT NORMAL!!" Well, enjoy your normal life, goodbye! Now i've been in the same relationship for 3yrs with a woman who hates it at times but understands and is pretty much too busy teaching middle school students to care. It's all about that, understanding and meeting in the middle.

Aviation is very dynamic. And a lot of us enjoy that. Within the world of aviation, some gigs are more structured and scheduled then others. Feeder freight, for example, is very "normal" in aviation. Same route, same departure/arrival time etc. Granted specials come up, weather happens, etc. On demand stuff, like charter, air ambo, some types of freight etc. are a totally wild card in where you will be going and when it happens. At my age, I like the consistent inconsistent. As I get older that would change. Having worked retail, it bores me. Like nocturnal said, some people can handle that or deal with it. Others think its crazy. Either way, as pilots we are crazy.

Truth.

"Hey, I have these days off."
"Whoa, me too. OK. Let me list for the jumpseat..."

Family is always the priority. That's why you're dedicated to your job. It doesn't do the family any good if you get let go for not being available to work. It amazes me how few significant others fail to recognize this. Granted some individuals are just insecure and needy. That'll never work. What I don't get is how one can be mad at the other for needing to go to work and do the job they were hired to do? Yeah, work is an inconvenience. I guess in a world of taking "personal days" at some jobs or having the luxury of leaving the job early, some people lost sight of what work actually is. IT'S WORK! You do your job or they'll find someone else who will...

In Soviet Gulfstream, you pay them!

not true

I personally would have asked as they can always say no. If you get it you get it, if you don't you don't. But I certainly understand why you didn't. You need to get your Fiance' on jetgirls.net. The industry can be hard on the other person and they need to be independant. You also need to get creative with special events. I have celebrated birthdays, holidays, etc early or late to fit them in with the kids and family. Just have to find a way to make it work. When it comes to Weddings and Funerals that is what vacation, sick leave, bereivement leave is for of if you airline allows it trip trades or pay another pilot personally to cover your on-call period.