Work life balance?

ppragman

ppragman

FLIPY FLAPS!
So, I've been doing the flying thing for about 7 years. My career progression has been phenomenal (at least in my eyes) and I've done exactly what I wanted to do and the types of flying that I want. Now, I'm a husband and a father, and the 60hr work weeks aren't really doing it for me any more. Where's the balance? How do I balance doing administrative duties associated with my job, the flying, while still maintaining a life outside of work. Last month I was at work 240hrs, and had 6 days off. In fact, I haven't had more than 6 or 7 days off in a month (except for some vacation time in March) since December. I'm home every night here - which is wonderous - but I often find myself going to work before my son wakes up and coming home after he's asleep. What are your suggestions?
 
If I were ten years younger and wanted to have a life and live in ANC I'd be taking a very hard look at Horizon. You'd be taking a pay cut I'm sure (which could be mitigated somewhat by a move to the Valley), but you'd have a fairly instant QOL improvement living in base with a 121 gig.

My first month on reserve and I've got 12 days off and I can sit reserve from home. I've flown the line post IOE exactly one day, but my preflight responsibilities start 30 min prior to push, and end 10 min after block in. No more loading and unloading, no more deicing with a broom, etc.

I'm sure @SurferLucas could expound a bit.

The reality is that most likely transitioning to a management position will most likely not free up any of your time, and you'll just be flying less.
 
Yeah. As much as people knock the entry level pay issues with 121 flying, you get a pretty good schedule right away. I know there are 135 and 91 gigs out there that give more time off (and at home) than most 121 guys could dream of, but in general your schedule will be better, more stable and known farther in advance. If QOL if important (which it sounds like it is) that might be a good step to look at, even if it involves commuting some.
 
ppragman said:
Charter 135, in the process of transitioning to a management position (CP)
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Ahh. The management position is going to make it tough on you, man. I've worked two office jobs, one union, and now real estate management, and I can tell you that the job doesn't go away on any sort of normal hours. The 60 hour work weeks are just part of the gig, and answering the phone all the time pretty much comes with it, too. It's a trade-off. You get to sleep in your own bed every night, but your job is part of your life, and not just something that disappears when you park the plane at the end of the trip. Personally, I prefer the office gig and sleeping in my own bed. But I don't have children, so I don't need to worry when I'm not leaving the office until 10pm some nights. Living in base with a flying gig will give you the most time with the family, if that's what's important to you.
 
TallFlyer said:
If I were ten years younger and wanted to have a life and live in ANC I'd be taking a very hard look at Horizon. You'd be taking a pay cut I'm sure (which could be mitigated somewhat by a move to the Valley), but you'd have a fairly instant QOL improvement living in base with a 121 gig.

My first month on reserve and I've got 12 days off and I can sit reserve from home. I've flown the line post IOE exactly one day, but my preflight responsibilities start 30 min prior to push, and end 10 min after block in. No more loading and unloading, no more deicing with a broom, etc.

I'm sure @SurferLucas could expound a bit.

The reality is that most likely transitioning to a management position will most likely not free up any of your time, and you'll just be flying less.
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You're from up here right? Did you go to Horizon?
 
z987k said:
You're from up here right? Did you go to Horizon?
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Originally no, but I did spend several years in various parts of Alaska. I miss it a lot, but I find myself on the east coast (shudder) a little closer to family for now.

But like I said earlier, if I was a whole heck of a lot younger I'd be very interested.
 
The best thing honestly would be to hire one more pilot and fly just enough to stay current. Make as much of your paperwork as you can electronic so you can do it from home. Better to be at home bouncing the kid on your knee typing away at training records than rolling into the office at oh dark thirty just to push papers. I haven't yet met an underworked 135 CP/DO/DM.
 
ppragman said:
So, I've been doing the flying thing for about 7 years. My career progression has been phenomenal (at least in my eyes) and I've done exactly what I wanted to do and the types of flying that I want. Now, I'm a husband and a father, and the 60hr work weeks aren't really doing it for me any more. Where's the balance? How do I balance doing administrative duties associated with my job, the flying, while still maintaining a life outside of work. Last month I was at work 240hrs, and had 6 days off. In fact, I haven't had more than 6 or 7 days off in a month (except for some vacation time in March) since December. I'm home every night here - which is wonderous - but I often find myself going to work before my son wakes up and coming home after he's asleep. What are your suggestions?
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To borrow a phrase; you can have money, time off, and a good schedule. Pick any two. You balance your life by choosing what's most important to you.

I have a good schedule and lots of time off, but I sacrifice a good salary to have them.
 
rocketman5150 said:
To borrow a phrase; you can have money, time off, and a good schedule. Pick any two. You balance your life by choosing what's most important to you.
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I don't think that's true at all. There are some jobs where you can have all three. There are some jobs where you can have the two and there are some jobs where you are lucky to get just one of them.
 
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