The Wife of a Pilot

[TheWife]

Originally Posted by Roxswood

Ah ok, DH had to pay upfront for all his training and uniform etc, about $50,000 with no guarantees of a job at the end of it.. :s

Are you talking about ratings or training in the aircraft? Because we all still had to pay for all the training to get the ratings, as in private pilot, commercial, instrument, etc. But once they get those and get hired at an airline they don't generally pay for training in that specific aircraft. So were you talking about the ratings before the aircraft or you have to pay for all those AND training in the aircraft for the airline?

[Roxswood]

Originally Posted by TheWife

Are you talking about ratings or training in the aircraft? Because we all still had to pay for all the training to get the ratings, as in private pilot, commercial, instrument, etc. But once they get those and get hired at an airline they don't generally pay for training in that specific aircraft. So were you talking about the ratings before the aircraft or you have to pay for all those AND training in the aircraft for the airline?

No we paid $120,000 for the ATPL, and then about $50,000 for the type rating on the 737-800.

[skibum515]

holy smokes!

[Roxswood]

Yup LOL, trainings a bit more expensive in Europe

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by Roxswood

No we paid $120,000 for the ATPL, and then about $50,000 for the type rating on the 737-800.

WOW- in the UK it is quite expensive. Nick's private licenses cost a little less (I think the $90-$100k range) In the US the 737 type is $7000-8000.

We'll be paying off his loan for the next decade (or 2!).

[SWAFOWIFE]

Originally Posted by Amanda

WOW- in the UK it is quite expensive. Nick's private licenses cost a little less (I think the $90-$100k range) In the US the 737 type is $7000-8000.

We'll be paying off his loan for the next decade (or 2!).

Yep...that's sounds familiar ...DH's Embry Riddle degree and flight training was 100K , then his 737 type rating was 6K. I think Dh's first year salary was around 17K at the regionals and I think his 7th and last year he was making a little over 80K then we took a pay cut when he went to the majors last year. These boys have a lot of time & $$$ invested in their passion!

[ccbegay]

Originally Posted by SWAFOWIFE

These boys have a lot of time & $$$ invested in their passion!

Exactly! BF has about $90K in loans to get all his ratings and such...

[Amanda]

If only 'regular' people knew about how much it all costs!

[Joanna]

Let's me just say that I am fortunate to not know DH with any debt relating to his degrees/licenses, ect. I do know it was expensive, but fortunately his parents helped out with that.

We are nearly in third year pay, but when he took the hit from going from a seven year regional to a first year mainline it totally sucked...hence, why CA have the unspoken "rule" of treating the first year FO to a drink here and there.

[scissorhands]

I have heard many disturbing stories from d/h about things that go on. It doesnt bother me that he goes for meals with his crew. I would hate to think of him eating alone all the time, however he does eat in his room most of the time. He has a short fuse for nonsence, thank god! He does pack his meals and he does eat alone alot to save money and to eat a bit healthier. We do not get alot of alone time due to no sitter as well, Most of the time, when d/h is home it is catch up on family time and home cooked meals as . I feel it is kinda not fair to expect d/h to eat another meal out as well as expect my daughter to bottle up her excitement that daddy is home just to leave her with a sitter, she is just as happy as me to have daddy home, it sucks we have such a short amount of family time together now that d/h is on reserve and is constantly being jr assed. It takes an incredible amount of inner strengh and trust on behalf of us to adjust our lives and have so few of our needs met. However on the flip side, it is not just the men that cheat, it is just as easy for the wives to find comfort elsewhere. It is all about mutual respect and trust.