don't marry a pilot

[cplpilot]

I think is sad:

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/learm ... pilot.html

[Changes in Latitudes]

I think that's a lot of cry-baby drivel.

All a person really needs to succeed in the merging of this career and a personal life is the drive to do so. It definitely takes two to tango as far as a relationship is concerned and requires sacrifice at both ends. I wouldn't necessarily call it the need to be this incredibly unique brand of human being with a gypsy spirit, but more just possess a dynamic attitude and be able to adapt to different situations.

Then they go on to say this...

At times like this the airlines - bless their cotton socks - will charge you several thousand dollars for a simulator selection ride and the privilege of being inteviewed, followed by the $20,000 - $30,000 cost of a type rating if you need one. Heaven help your family life/love life.

If you're dumb enough to go ahead and do this then you reap what you sew. Most relationships don't take well to the stresses of personal stupidity, dummy. "I just paid 30k for a type rating and now wife is pissed, oh boo-hoo, the life of a pilot ain't easy, what's one to do!?"

So yea, don't marry a pilot, don't marry an entrepreneur, don't marry a doctor, don't marry a contractor, don't marry a lawyer, don't marry a dentist, don't marry a police officer, don't marry anyone with a job or responsibilities; they all come with their own unique challenges and pitfalls. No relationship should be able to sustain a set of challenges unique to a certain profession, right?

[SkyWolfe]

What happens if a pilot marries a pilot

"THAT WAS FOR MYYYYY PPC!!!"

[1000 HP]

Perhaps the topic line should read "Pilots, don't marry a useless lazy, whining couch potato". I got rid of mine. It took me a long time to find a partner who is supportive of my flying disease. That's all you need. Or do the single life. If you like your job, you've got it made! If you love it, you're probably a pilot

[wallypilot]

keep in mind this is probably a European perspective, in which case the norm is to pay for type ratings for low timers.

the industry is very different in europe, and for the young guys without much experience, they are at the mercy of the first employer, and it is tough on the personal life. However, all the above posts are bang on. you just need a partner that is supportive, not a whiner, and ditto what changesinlattitude said.

[MorganAirCFI]

I always tell pilot to go find a nurse or a school teacher. They can get a job anywhere a pilot needs to go...

[Dash-Ate]

Here are two low-timers who found love while hanging out at the FBO. See it is possible!!


Is this CAT from a while ago??

[twotter]

Nope, that guy is way too tall!!!

And good looking for that matter!!!

[MyMeowCat]

Well...let's take a different spin on things and look at it from at least a dating prospective.

I think being a pilot is a "cool" job (at least in most people's eyes). Wouldn't you want a gal that hooks up with you because you're cool instead of one that hooks up with you for your cash?

Moving around is one thing -- and some women like "travel" and adventure.

I'd be inclined to think that a little time away makes the time together more fun.

Besides -- for her -- she can tell her friends that she's married/dating a pilot (which is probably more exciting than telling her friends she's dating an IT guy)

I don't know -- can some of you share your experiences what is was like when you told her you are a pilot compared to when you told her you working any "normal" job you had?? I'd think some of that would carry on overto marriage/future dating?

[Osiris]

Up North, telling a girl you're a pilot generally didn't get you very far. But that was up North.

[Ballsssssss]

Up North, telling a girl you're a pilot generally didn't get you very far. But that was up North.

Being a Pilot can't make up for being ugly....sorry.

[Pilotwife]

I have been married to a pilot for 37 years this weekend. Was there sacrifice? Yes. Was there lonelyness? Yes. Was the money always short? Yes. Were some of the living accomodation less than desireable? Yes. Did I want to walk away at times? Yes. Were there moments of sheer terror waiting for phone calls? Yes. Did we meet a lot of fantastic people along the way? Yes. Did we have a good time most of the time? Yes Did it get us to where we are in life today? Yes. Would I do it over again? In a heartbeat!

Pilotwife

[iflyforpie]

I started dating my wife two weeks into my PPL training. I finally decided last year to leave a comfortable 8-4, Monday to Friday, decent paying job as an AME-which also gave me free aircraft to fly (just put gas in it)-to pursue a full-time job as a commercial pilot.

Long hours, mediocre pay, terrible schedule (but I am home every night) but she says having me do what I love is worth the small sacrifices.

[. ._]

I say only get married if you want to have kids. Otherwise it ain't worth it.

nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag...

-istp

[disengage]

Ya the single life is great at times...but when something interesting happens in your day or something out of the ordinary its nice to have someone to share it with. in no means am i ready to settle down there are many choices down the road that have to be made and i think its easier when you dont have somebody holding you back.

[mrsapproach]

Well I suppose you can look at this from both points of view. From the non pilot point of view you have to always be expecting the unexpected, no plans being made cause they always get changed, long weekend here and was looking good now is out of town until after the long weekend.......one must be VERY independent and enjoy being alone or with the family pet more than the significant other. If you are wanting a partner, friend, lover don't look in the pilot occupation as they are never around enough to be any of the above. Better off to get a pet and buy stocks in Duracell would certainly assist in the disappointments.....hahahaha
On the other hand they love doing what they do so what the hell......

[Hedley]

If women want a faithful companion that will always
be with them and will always love them no matter
what ... get a dog.

No man is capable of making an unhappy woman
happy. So why bother trying? Like teaching a pig
to sing, it's a waste of your time, and it just annoys
the pig.

[Princeton]

No man is capable of making an unhappy woman
happy. So why bother trying? Like teaching a pig
to sing, it's a waste of your time, and it just annoys
the pig.

Hedley, this is one of your better posts. Made me chuckle. It is very true though. Been there, done that.

[Hedley]

Second half is stolen from Heinlein (I doubt
anyone here even knows who he is, let alone
made it all the way through Stranger In a Strange Land.

Hey, I can be original, or witty. But not both
at the same time

Back on topic ... pilots generally make pretty
horrible husbands. Just ask either of my ex-wives!

I really do think that more women should get
dogs instead of husbands. They would be much
happier, because they can much more easily
control the dog, and force it to be home all
the time.

[Ballsssssss]

Second half is stolen from Heinlein (I doubt
anyone here even knows who he is, let alone
made it all the way through Stranger In a Strange Land.

Hey, I can be original, or witty. But not both
at the same time

Back on topic ... pilots generally make pretty
horrible husbands. Just ask either of my ex-wives!

I really do think that more women should get
dogs instead of husbands. They would be much
happier, because they can much more easily
control the dog, and force it to be home all
the time.

Kick in a jar of peanut butter and we are easily replaced.

[MichaelP]

The trouble with all this sort of stuff is it doesn't do much for our self esteem...

I tell people it's a way of life.
Very sad in many ways, and yes very lonely, but it has its compensations.

What we perhaps need to do is to go with the gipsy in us and go where there are women who do not have the media propoganda about what life should be and what one must own to keep up.
There are still cultures with human values... a pilot is still a good catch in a few places in this world.

[salabask]

I agree with pilotwife, as there are many sacrifices a pilots wife must make especially when children are involved. First if you wish to marry a pilot be sure ladies that his is mature of mind. You do not want to marry a pilot child. Believe me as you can see from this thread there are a few black sheep. Do not marry a pilot that is indifferent, as he will not know how to be a good friend, husband or father. He will be concerned only about his affairs. I guess there isn't enough Will Smith's for all of the ladies out there. At the end of the day Pilots when you take off your uniform your just a man. I hope this news isn't too disturbing for you. Time to shrug the arrogance. You then might get a date with an intelligent women, marry her, have kids and a happy family. Until then you will be on the road to wife no# 1,2,3,4 Happy Flying

[niwre]

I guess there isn't enough Will Smith's for all of the ladies out there. At the end of the day Pilots when you take off your uniform your just a man. I hope this news isn't too disturbing for you. Take it as a short bit of life advice. Time to shrug the arrogance. You then might get a date with an intelligent women, marry her, have kids and a happy family. Until then you will be on the road to wife no# 1,2,3,4 Happy Flying

Keep in mind there are a lot of shallow women out there too. I know of friends and have been the receiving end of "now your interesting" kind of comments because of what we do for a living even though we don't make a big deal of it. For every arrogant pilot I can show you a golding spouse...

[salabask]

I am married to a pilot, and was a Flight Attendant for 9 years and have seen many wonderful pilots who seem to balance family and career in an admirable way. They are friends and men with integrity. On the flip side I have seen some extremley arrogant, pilots that do not handle family and career well. For some of them as soon as the uniform goes on the chest bulges and the John Travolta strut starts. It is part of the industy unfortunately.

[MichaelP]

I don't think a lot of the problems are so simple, nor are they specifically a pilot's problem
Anyone who has a passion for anything will have to find the right sort of woman as a partner.
People, male or female, are not themselves in today's society. There are few real people who are who they appear to be and I think this is the reason there are so many divorces.
The media is the most serious influence on people these days.

Take something simple like entertainment television... The new comedy programs are all cartoons, adult cartoons.
Real comedy programs are repeats of decades old series such as Cheers...
What do we see most of every evening? Murder and more murder; serious crime.
The police and law enforcement are the stars of this generation...
Where's the light entertainment?

To survive in any relationship requires humour, a good sense of humour. Everyone has imperfections, we are all human, and often these character flaws require a sense of humour.
"Keeping up with the Jones's" has a different meaning in today's world.

A pilot does not earn enough money to justify the skills he/she possesses and has to use in this 'profession', it is very much a vocation as is a struggling artist.
There are not many women who would consider a future with a struggling artist.
It's nature, a man has to provide even today; unless a woman is wealthy she will not consider a man who is poor.

The media is the worst influence, and we can never be the perfect beings we are expected to be.