New pilot life and new loving wife

USRaven

USRaven

Well-Known Member
I am newly married as of 8MAY. My wife met me as I was changing careers and going into avionics, which I've been doing in the air force now for two years. I'm a newly minted private pilot (life long dream). My wife knows I want to be a professional pilot with a side talent of fixing planes. My active orders With the USAF Reserve are up in Feb 2010, and I plan on attending ATP for 3 months to do the 90 day wonder course using GI bennies.

I know I will be making next to nothing, as for now, the wife is supporting my aspirations of being a broke pilot. But she wants me to be home every night. I love the idea of being an instructor for a couple of years. But really wouldn't mind flying heavier metal.

What are the realities of being a regional pilot as far as schedules, and flying hours per month? I see some pay scales have increased a couple bucks per hour since 2004. I want to present to my wife a realistic scenario of being a regional FO, but don't know how to deliver it. I am one of the suckers who has the bug bad, and am only happy in the air. Help.

Since this is my first post, I should introduce myself. My name is Bobby. I joined the air force at 18 as a cop. 4 years later, I became a weather forecaster (and found I had a niche doing that). I left active duty suddenly 6 years after joining and took a job with blackwater. I came home from overseas with my life in ruins, and all my money gone. In 2007, I decided it was time to reset my life and start anew. I am now on track to do what I have always wanted to do. With the support of my wife, a new attorney in Tampa, fl, I am setting out to be a pilot and a plane mechanic for the rest of my life. The end.
 
USRaven said:
I am newly married as of 8MAY. My wife met me as I was changing careers and going into avionics, which I've been doing in the air force now for two years. I'm a newly minted private pilot (life long dream). My wife knows I want to be a professional pilot with a side talent of fixing planes. My active orders With the USAF Reserve are up in Feb 2010, and I plan on attending ATP for 3 months to do the 90 day wonder course using GI bennies.

I know I will be making next to nothing, as for now, the wife is supporting my aspirations of being a broke pilot. But she wants me to be home every night. I love the idea of being an instructor for a couple of years. But really wouldn't mind flying heavier metal.

What are the realities of being a regional pilot as far as schedules, and flying hours per month? I see some pay scales have increased a couple bucks per hour since 2004. I want to present to my wife a realistic scenario of being a regional FO, but don't know how to deliver it. I am one of the suckers who has the bug bad, and am only happy in the air. Help.

Since this is my first post, I should introduce myself. My name is Bobby. I joined the air force at 18 as a cop. 4 years later, I became a weather forecaster (and found I had a niche doing that). I left active duty suddenly 6 years after joining and took a job with blackwater. I came home from overseas with my life in ruins, and all my money gone. In 2007, I decided it was time to reset my life and start anew. I am now on track to do what I have always wanted to do. With the support of my wife, a new attorney in Tampa, fl, I am setting out to be a pilot and a plane mechanic for the rest of my life. The end.
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Congrats! This is the place to be, its addicting too. I got on here a couple years ago for the first time, and haven't been able to leave. Have fun.
 
Nice to have you join this family of laughter!

Reality of flying commercially in the U.S. is to not expect making a living wage at the airlines unless you live at the base hub of the airline. My first year, I spent more than I made because I lived out of a flight bag at random hotels throughout the U.S. on reserve. The only way I made it through was that my wife was helping me out. Lot's of fun though flying through thunderstorms and icing.

I had the same bug when I was in the Navy but never got the chance to fly until I got out and went to college. Been there, done that and now furloughed. Might find another career now, not sure what I'm going to do yet.

Have fun with the people here at JC because we all have something to say (sometimes too much).
 
Why only look at the airline side of flying though. You can make a livable wage flying 135 freight and be home most nights.
 
I love my wife, and I LOVE spending time with her. But if I knew I was destined to work out of a desk for the rest of my life, I would have a pit in my chest that would chew at me. I just flew a trip to KEY WEST with my wife. I gotta tell you... flying back home to Albert Whitted at 6,500' with the red and pink sunset cutting through the remnants of a fallen thunderstorm, and holding my wife's hand was absolute utopia. I hope heaven is as nice. Sorry to get sappy in my first few posts, but that is my happy place :)
 
Welcome. I wouldn't recommend flying for the regionals if you want to be home every night or most nights. You're gone on multiple day trips most of the month. And you know the pay is horrible already. You're lucky you have a wife that can support you while starting out. Good luck w/ the training.
 
Bobby, as many will tell you here, the pathway to getting paid to fly is tough. The strength of your relationship with your new bride will likely be tested to it's limits in this business. If you fly for a living you will learn that your success will be based largely on you and your wife's ability to adapt to "the lifestyle." On the whole, it is not natural or desirous to kiss your wife goodbye and leave for days at a time. You may only have 8 to 10 days together a month and she will be left responsible to have the furnace fixed when it breaks, get the car tuned up when it won't run and any number of other things that come up. In the beginning, you will be gone on birthdays, holidays, son's soccer days, daughter's dance recital days, anniversaries and well, you get the picture. Your wife better be superhuman to put up with all that will be required of her. Have her contact some of the ladies here on JC that do it everyday and get their perspectives - that will open some eyes.

I am one of the guys here Bobby that will tell you flat out that flying is a great job, especially when seen through my eyes in the left seat at a 121 major airline. The problem is, for every one of me, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, that are struggling as they make their way through the ranks of pilothood. What you can be optimistic about though is that I firmly believe that if you want anything bad enough it can be obtained. I am a classic example of that as I am an average, perhaps below average, run of the mill schmuck who made it largely by determination and hard work. The airlines will recover from this recession - they will be hiring again and things will get better. This is a cyclic business and it always will be. You have to adapt to it's unique career paths or you will be miserable. There are many ways to accomplish a flying lifestyle and the options to get there are diverse. As some have suggested, don't limit your sights on 121 flying. Look at all your options and ask many questions. There are almost limitless resources here on JC that can steer you in the right direction.

I would suggest that as you make plans for your future, consider your new wife as an equal partner and do this together. Her needs and thoughts will be an integral part of your potential success as a commercial pilot. In the end, if the two of you can't make this unique career and lifestyle co-exist with the dreams and plans you both desire - then walk away.

Congratulations on your marriage and I know I speak for all my co-JCers in wishing you a great and joyous life together. Oh, and welcome to JC.
 
calcapt said:
Bobby, as many will tell you here, the pathway to getting paid to fly is tough. The strength of your relationship with your new bride will likely be tested to it's limits in this business. If you fly for a living you will learn that your success will be based largely on you and your wife's ability to adapt to "the lifestyle." On the whole, it is not natural or desirous to kiss your wife goodbye and leave for days at a time. You may only have 8 to 10 days together a month and she will be left responsible to have the furnace fixed when it breaks, get the car tuned up when it won't run and any number of other things that come up. In the beginning, you will be gone on birthdays, holidays, son's soccer days, daughter's dance recital days, anniversaries and well, you get the picture. Your wife better be superhuman to put up with all that will be required of her. Have her contact some of the ladies here on JC that do it everyday and get their perspectives - that will open some eyes.

I am one of the guys here Bobby that will tell you flat out that flying is a great job, especially when seen through my eyes in the left seat at a 121 major airline. The problem is, for every one of me, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, that are struggling as they make their way through the ranks of pilothood. What you can be optimistic about though is that I firmly believe that if you want anything bad enough it can be obtained. I am a classic example of that as I am an average, perhaps below average, run of the mill schmuck who made it largely by determination and hard work. The airlines will recover from this recession - they will be hiring again and things will get better. This is a cyclic business and it always will be. You have to adapt to it's unique career paths or you will be miserable. There are many ways to accomplish a flying lifestyle and the options to get there are diverse. As some have suggested, don't limit your sights on 121 flying. Look at all your options and ask many questions. There are almost limitless resources here on JC that can steer you in the right direction.

I would suggest that as you make plans for your future, consider your new wife as an equal partner and do this together. Her needs and thoughts will be an integral part of your potential success as a commercial pilot. In the end, if the two of you can't make this unique career and lifestyle co-exist with the dreams and plans you both desire - then walk away.

Congratulations on your marriage and I know I speak for all my co-JCers in wishing you a great and joyous life together. Oh, and welcome to JC.
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That's probably the best post I've read on this forum in a while.
 
Mark815 said:
That's probably the best post I've read on this forum in a while.
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:yeahthat:Agreed, thanks calcapt.

For the OP, speaking from the prespective of a lowly CFI hoping to get there someday, it is tough and will take a LOT of work, and test you as well as your wife but I can't imagine doing anything else. You will come across many nay-sayers who will tell you to do something else, but if you truly want to do it, and if she truly supports you then go for it, and best of luck!
 
calcapt,

Thanks for the kind words. I too think that was one of the best posts I have read here as well. My wife was reading it with me.

My biggest problem now is talking to her about our future, and my future career. I don't know what my path will be. I see her face when I talk about how little I will likely make. I promise her that I will try to find a job that keeps me home most of the time. I ask her not to lose faith in me, as I will do my best not to fail her, or "us".

At least I know I'm not alone when I say I have been CURSED with the flying bug. ~~~But one of the first things I told my wife the night I met her and we realized we would be seeing a LOT more of each other was, "You have to accept the fact that I want to fly, and I will never make any money doing it."
 
Raven,

Congrats and welcome to the board; you have come to a great place. Please pass along the following website to your wife: www.jetgirls.net it is for all the pilot wives out there and a great site for support and information.

Good Luck!

BTW good post CalCapt
 
USRaven said:
My biggest problem now is talking to her about our future, and my future career. I don't know what my path will be.
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You know Bobby, any meaningful career will likely require sacrifices. I think flying, unlike most other careers, has this magical side to it (mostly imagined) that turns clear thinking individuals into nonsensical dream chasers. We all know people who have signed up for flight programs that cost exorbitant amounts of money without weighing other options. Others will go down roads that lead to nothing but debt and little to show for it. In my opinion, the trick to getting into aviation is to do it smart. Smart means different things to different people based on many factors. For example, if you have a family member that has access to an airplane, that might be a smart option to explore. If you have a friend or family member that is a faculty member at a school, you might explore the possibilities of a discounted education because of that association. Pursuing smart options will make it easier to survive on the meager wages that the early years will almost guarantee. Personally I don't think you need to abandon your love of flying or give up on flying for a living. I have many friends that make reasonable livings (some better than others) flying airplanes and despite the fact that we would all like to make more $$$, many of us make above average incomes that most would find quite comfortable to live on.

It is critical to go into this with a plan and strong discipline. Study hard so you are not repeating lesson two on lesson six. Avoiding debt and living within your means is good advice for all of us. Define limits that you both can live with and stick to them. As you progress through your training and ratings, have frequent "how goes it" discussions with your wife and adjust things as necessary. If you don't let things get too out of control, you will do fine. One final thing: I think it is important to commit early on that you want to be a professional pilot, and not merely a commercial pilot. Professionalism is defined many ways, but to me being a professional is committing to excellence in your craft. Do not accept "close enough" as your standard. We all find ourselves in challenging situations, and it becomes incumbent upon us to focus on what is right, not what's easy. I have found that making the correct and most appropriate decisions frequently requires picking the more difficult solutions. In other words, it seems that the easy and less painless way often turns out to be the wrong choice. I suppose that's why so many people make so many bad decisions in life.

I apologize for turning this into a dissertation on your career choices. I am passionate about flying as you can tell and I would love the opportunity to share a beautiful sunrise at 35,000 feet, or popping out of a cloud top to a spectacular full moon with all my friends that will never experience it. I sincerely hope you have the opportunity to see and experience these things someday and can passionately share these privileged gifts with your new wife. It has to be exciting for the two of you to look ahead and just wonder to yourselves what will be?
 
CalCapt once again has graced us with another excellent post. I just want to emphasize that communication is key is with your wife. You need to make sure you two are on the same page with your career choice and how you plan to get there.
 
Another +1 for calcapt...

However, focus on life and wife enough and remember that flying days are just that. Being in love with flying is someting completely different from being in love with the idea of flying... You can spend your whole life chasing some perfect picture...

When you encounter hardships and struggle, always remember the people who got you there and helped you along the way. Aviation will not care what you do, where you fly or how much money you make.
Your competition is cheap and bendable, you can be replaced, laid off or tossed from any seat - so, count on the things that matter and, I promise, when you turn 87 - the people around you are likely going to be close to you because you where a good father, husband or partner for life. Your logbooks, awards and trophies will not matter much. ;)

Being home every night is not a guarantee for anything with your new wife, and when she thinks or feels something you do for this "career" is silly or too much sacrifice, take a step back and try to see it from her perspective as well. This really helps when the 5 - 8 year trouble starts rolling around the corner.

:bandit:

Good luck on both.
 
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