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How does being a pilot affect your family life?

How does being a pilot affect your family life?

commercial-pilot
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Greg’s Answer

The family of a pilot can be a challenge. They will need to independent due to the amount of time that you’ll be gone. Dishwasher break, sump pumps fail, and the power goes out only when you’re gone. Once you gain some seniority, your quality of life will improve. It’s also important to realize that you may not get the job you want at the airline that you want. You may end up commuting from the city you live to the city where you’re based. That can really complicate things but a lot of pilots commute. The career can be very rewarding, but it has its ups and downs.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice. Sophia
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Matthew’s Answer

This not a Monday - Friday 9-5 job and never will be, completely. As a junior pilot you will have mid-weeks off a lot. If you are fortunate to be based in the city where you live or within driving distance, you will be away from home Max 6 days at a time for the company. You will need a day to decompress when you come home if you have been working that long.
Yes there are day trips, yes there are two day trips, but more senior pilots will want those. Then there are the red-eyes; they're never fun unless you are a night owl.
You need to be honest with your spouse and kids about what is going to happen because it will be a big change and a lot of trust is needed.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Sophia
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Steve’s Answer

Being a commercial pilot means you’ll have irregular hours vs most regular jobs. Basically, if you’re not off, you’re on, either flying or being on call. Same applies to all weekends, holidays, etc. It all depends upon seniority. This will drive your quality of life until you retire. It takes a very supportive and flexible family to make it work. Consequently, divorce rates among pilots is probably higher than other careers.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice. Sophia
Thank you comment icon What airline did you work for? And when you were in college how much studying did you have to do? Was it hard to earn your bachelor's of aviation? Sophia
Thank you comment icon I retired from Delta. As an Air Force Academy cadet, I worked hard during that 4 years. Doing the military route towards employment as an airline pilot is only one option. But since the mandatory years of service has increased after your military flight training, you definitely have to consider that. Another option to consider is the military reserves, or Air National Guard, since you’ll be available for airline employment sooner than being on active duty. Steve Mungle
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