Time off with a new baby

FlySooner9

FlySooner9

Well-Known Member
Considering going back to the 121 world soon, although the wife and I have our first child on the way in March. Was wondering what the normal is for airlines handling this? Do you get any time off afterwards? What if in training?
 
I mean, FMLA is law, so there's that. Probably not best for you to take that during training though, doesn't seem like that would be conductive to being successful.
 
FlySooner9 said:
Are most chief pilots helpful in moving around scheduling to stack some days off after the kiddo comes?
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I haven’t flown at a regional, but my humble and unsolicited opinion is that you’re better off delaying any class date until 3-6 months after the baby is born, maybe longer if you don’t have family or a good network of friends in the area to help the Mrs. out. All the stuff about sleep deprivation, stress, life changing completely is 100% true
 
I was able to bid off the time around the due date. You can also call in "Emergency" if you have any kind of family emergency, at least at my shop.

As fas as time off, depends how much you need/want. I know guys that only took a week or two off after birth. Most guys say 2 weeks is sufficient. What I did, instead of FMLA, I bid for 2 weeks vacation and with PBS basically got the whole month off while still being paid min. guarantee. All in all, I had 6 weeks at home for baby bonding time!
 
Roger Roger said:
I haven’t flown at a regional, but my humble and unsolicited opinion is that you’re better off delaying any class date until 3-6 months after the baby is born, maybe longer if you don’t have family or a good network of friends in the area to help the Mrs. out. All the stuff about sleep deprivation, stress, life changing completely is 100% true
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Quoting for emphasis. If you started you would probably be ok, but why take a risk that's dependent on management to help you out?
 
They will probably ask if you have any kind of commitments like birth or deployment before offering a class date. If you don't disclose it they'll probably just fire you. I would wait.
 
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Yeah I think the best option is to be patient and wait, unless it’s one of the big 3 that calls. Just getting tired of having the leash of being on call 24/7 365.
 
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