Long distance relationships/ New hire training

A

Angelo_di_amore

New Member
This is my first post, however, I'm sure you all know my boyfriend FlyChicaga. He's thinking about taking a different job which would leave us apart for around two months. Since you have all went through training where you had to be away from ones you loved for a while ... I was wondering if you had any advice. Particularly how I can be supportive and ideas for romantic "gestures" from long distance (Wisconsin to Texas). Even if you didn't have someone while you were in training if you have any ideas of what you would have liked ... if you were with someone, I'd still like the ideas. Thanks much for all your help. And fly safe!

Oh yeah ... I asked Matt not to read this so be sure not to tell him what this post is about. Because after all ... what's the point of doing a surprise romantic gesture if you already know what it is ... it's not a surprise. Thanks!
 
I think from my perspective at least a daily telephone call to say hi. Sometimes I was really burned out and didn't have much to say, but knowing that my entire world doesn't begin and end with a dry lecture on pneumatic systems helps.

Ground school is normally a pretty rough time because I'm constantly home sick, but "low drama" telephone calls and pep chats are fantastic to keep morale up. The last thing you really want to do is have an argument on the telephone about something goofy because then it throws everything off.

Also, sometimes when Kristie called, I was under quite a bit of stress and didn't really talk all that much -- she understands and knows that I'm just mentally exhausted, but the telephone call is great. And don't discount text messages because then he's able to message you back when he's got a free moment rather than holding a verbal conversation.

Just some ideas!
 
I always enjoyed the cards I got through the mail from Doug while he was at Skyway in Wisc and I was living down in Fla (i also received them when he was living in CA too when we first started dating)... every now and then, I stick a card into his suitcase as a pleasant "travel surprise" and a reminder of how fun it was to send cards back and forth with photos or little handwritten "notes" tucked inside. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

how mushy huh?! haha /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif still gives me warm fuzzies /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

other things that really help include the phone calls on a daily basis - just to hear his voice, really make my day too...and with our new cell phones, we now send picture messages along with text messages when we can when he's on his trips... sometimes i'll send a few of the cats, sometimes i'll put me in there and sometimes i'll splash it up some with a unique picture of sorts (depends on what I find while i'm out).. unfortunately, doug's phones broke and he's using a non picture loaner phone and it's been kinda difficult NOT to send him photos! haha

Just make sure that when you do get together on your off time, spend it in a quality mode and not a quantity mode... grab a good DVD, make your own popcorn and just hang out, have fun etc etc....

hope this helps some! oh and I activated your account on FCAPA too, please feel free to introduce yourself over there! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Angelo, the very fact that you cared enough to post this question leads me to believe that you two are already on the right track.

I think we all know LDR's are hard, but if you're committed, then there is no reason why it can't work.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Matt when he was down this way in Tampa a few months ago and he's a quality individual.

Best of luck to you both! Hang around and enjoy the "virtual companionship" that our little on-line community offers. A bunch of great folks on here!!

R2F
 
Thanks a bunch guys! The calling every day is essential for me and Matt. Up until I was a counselor in the north woods of Wisconsin for a week (without a cell phone) ... we talked every day for a full six months. So, I'll definetly be calling him every day.

Also, one thing that would help me greatly is if you guys keep giving Matt support. I know you guys have been so great for him in the past, but he's thinking about not taking this job because of me. Which is exactly what I don't want him to do. He needs this experience and I think with me moving to Florida for four months it will be good for him to have something else that makes him happy. Plus isn't there a quote that says that distance makes the heart grow fonder?

Once again thanks!
 
[ QUOTE ]
. . .isn't there a quote that says that distance makes the heart grow fonder?


[/ QUOTE ]

Until your husband is on a ship in the South-Pacific and you haven't talked to him for a month and a half, and the guy down the street is a pretty nice looking fellow, and besides, your husband is overseas and he'll never know....

[/angrybittermemoriesfrommymilitarydays]

Of course, that doesn't apply to you...

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I've had my fair share of jerks. Actually too many (especially if you ask FlyChicaga)! But Matt and I won't have that problem. He's not a jerk, and I'm not a capital B. But thanks for the warning.
 
Doug and Kristie gave some great ideas....My wife is always tucking notes or cards in my bag and we talked constantly during training and every night I'm out of town. If wanted you could always send a care package to the hotel full of snacks. That's what my wife did. It was a great gift.
 
What kinds of stuff did she send in the care package? I love to bake but FlyChicaga isn't much of a sweets person. Which is probably obvious by how skinny he is (if you ever see him). Sideas outside of food ideas would be the best.
 
Pictures
cards
a book
video games (if he's into them)
DVD's (particularly on HOW TO GAIN SOME FREAKIN' WEIGHT! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) (<---said the jealous round man) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
That kind of thing.
 
[ QUOTE ]

DVD's (particularly on HOW TO GAIN SOME FREAKIN' WEIGHT! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif )
That kind of thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

How 'bout some neat DVD movies like "Gutterballs" or "Logjammin'"

or anything with Jenna J.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bandit.gif
 
I would have to agree with the previous post on items to send. If he is not into sweets you could always pack items like
Protien Bars
Trail Mix
Microwavable Popcorn
or anything FlyChicaga likes to snak on.

I wouldn't recommend a book because of the time spent on studying during training. There usually isn't much time left over for leisure reading.

Also, if the airline's travel benifits kick in on day one. Fly down on a weekend for a suprsie. Most ground schools take SAT and SUN off. It is better to do this in the begining because near the end everyone is studying on the weekends.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would have to agree with the previous post on items to send.

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad you agree!
 
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