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Originally Posted by MLily79  I hope this isn't a stupid question.  My boyfriend recently started flying reserve for a national airline. He's had several short trips where he flies somewhere (or multiple places) and returns the next day. I've heard mention of significant others going on "overnights" with their pilots. I've mentioned it to him, but he doesn't know much about it. (Although right after I mentioned it, he went on a trip and asked the captain about it, which I thought was really sweet and shows he likes the idea.)
We still don't have a lot of information though, so I'm hoping someone can fill me in. How do overnights usually work? Are there stipulations? It's probably best to go with if he's only going to one place, staying overnight, and coming back, right?
I have non-rev'ed with him a couple of times but never while he was acting as pilot.
Any insights would be much, much appreciated!
-MLily |
Not a stupid question at all. Every single person on this message board has been new to aviation at some point and "learned the ropes" the same way you are now. What's nice about this board and others like it is that it gives everyone a chance to get different points of view from those who are at diferent points along the way. New-to-the-lifestyle, Been-doing-it-for-years, fly-regionally, fly-internationally, fly-pax, fly-cargo... etc. etc. etc. Never be afraid to ask ANYTHING.
As for me, I've flown with my husband a TON. So much so that I know most of the CA's, FO's and FA's at this base. He is always wanting me to come on overnights, and I try to as much as possible. (For awhile there it was almost once a trip.) I'm kind of burnt out on non-reving right now, and am actually enjoying the quiet of being at home with the pooch. I'm sure that I won't feel this way for long, though.
Anyway, like others said, try to look at your boyfriend's trip and see when he has a good overnight. You mentioned that you've non-reved with him before...are you listed as his travel companion then? Because if so, there's nothing different about traveling with him on an overnight. Just check the loads, find an open flight, and you're good to go. You should be fine to ride in the hotel van with the crew, but it's sometimes a good idea to call the hotel to make sure. There were a couple times we arrived pretty late, and the hotel shuttle was no longer running. In cases like that, the hotel then pays for a taxi for the crew - but only for the crew. The cabbie didn't mind me coming, but we had to pay my share of the ride. No biggie, though.
If you'd like to continue on your boyfriend's trip with him, but don't feel like riding with him on any flights he has before his next overnight, you could try and get to the overnight before he does. For example, you guys just went on the first night's overnight in Ohare (ORD). The next night is in Washington Dulles (IAD). Before he finishes in IAD, he has to fly to Houston. (IAH). Instead of you going ORD-IAH-IAD, you could just try to go ORD-IAD, and head to the hotel. You've
GOT TO have your boyfriend call the hotel beforehand to arrange this, though. Not every hotel will allow you to check in before him, but a lot of them will. He would just call the hotel, ask if this would be ok, and leave your name. You'd then ride the hotel shuttle over, show them your ID, and you're good to go.
I'd definitely recommend going with your boyfriend whenever you can. They're gone enough as it is! Nice to spend any extra time with them you can.