New to aviation life

[Roxswood]

Hi, my name is Clare and I'm married to my bestest friend Simon who has just finished type training with Ryanair. We live in the UK and I'm 8 months pregnant and feeling a bit miserable about the changes in our lives.

I've supported him the best I can through 2.5 years of training and unemployment although neither of us was working because I was following him around with our daughter in tow.

I'm looking forwards to chatting with people who might understand some of the worries and insecurities I'm going through right now. I'm really having a hard time dealing with it all.

[katbuad]

Welcome aboard.

There are plenty of friends here in every level of the industry. From your 2.5 years of training and unemployment, I would say you are an old pro at the aviation industry lifestyle. But (fingers crossed) I think you are headed into bluer skies than where you have been. Those training/flight instructing years SUCK financially. First year FO pay isn't so great either, but at least it is a constant paycheck. After that, everyone tells me it gets better.

Nevertheless, you've got plenty of company here.

[BStory]

Welcome to the site! Ask away.....we can all relate to the ups and downs of aviation life. Hopefully you can find some good support and great advise here.

[christykay]

Hello Clare,

My name is Christina, I am a SAHM to four little ones ages 9,8,5 and 3. My DH (dear husband) is a new CA with Air Wisconsin and we are currently living in S. Carolina.

Let me first say that I have been exactly where you are. Ok not so much in the UK, but, I have treaded in the chaotic waters of the everchanging aviaiton industry in the US. My DH is a career changer. Worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) for ten years before making the choice to change careers and become a pilot. Long story made extremely short. We sold our first home, one that we had built to fund his "dream" and move out of state to pursue his education goals at a flight school. At the time we had two children, lived away from ALL family and friends, and DH was pursuing flight training full time. Ok...fast forward several years...we added two more children to the family and moved 5 times in the last 6 years- all in the name of aviation.

I clearly remember when DH accepted his first airline job, I was VERY pregnant and had three little ones to care for when he left for just shy of 2 months for training. (Not once did he come home during that training period) The airline industry is an interesting one. No one quite understands the demands of the profession, unless you are living it and absolutely everyone outside of the industry assumes it is a life a glamour. LOL! That is why this site is so wonderful. The opportunity to talk with other wives/ so's of pilot's who know EXACTLY what you are experiencing. I'm not sure that I have helped you any, maybe just to remind you that there are others here who have or are experiencing what you are feeling/ experiencing now. The aviation industry is a turbulent one for sure, but remember this site is really wonderful and there are many amazing women here.

Welcome aboard!

[the_woman_99]

Welcome!
Keep your head up...you will get through it

[Amanda]

Welcome to the site- we're here to support you!

[Kristie]

Hi Clare!

[Lovemypilot]

Hi! Welcome to the site! you are definitely going to find that everyone here is friendly and always willing to help in whatever way possible. I joined just about a month ago and have already gotten so many answers to questions of mine! My fiance and I just moved to Austin, TX last summer but before that we were in Miami, FL....and absolutely miserable b/c of his career. He would leave at 6:00 in the morning and not get home until almost 11:00 at night. Plus he was on call most weekends. Needless to say we didnt do much, especially since he got paid so little and couldnt afford anything..even cable! I think we couldve applied for food stamps! It was really bad, but we knew we just had to get through the beginning part and it would get better. He now is an FO for a different airline, and things are already 100 times better. It is tough in the beginning, but just try and look to the future. It WILL get better. =)

[Londoner]

Hello Clare! Lovely to see another Brit on here! Was it you who messaged me the other day about OAT? I've just got back from two months in Thailand and my brain is a sieve!

Anyhow... there's another girl on here, Sophie, whose boyfriend works for Ryanair. I'm sure she'd love to be in touch with you, just drop her a message. I think you'll find her details in the UK section of Meet your Jetgirls Family. I can't remember what her username is on here! Where is your husband going to be based?

And blimey, being pregnant through training- that makes it doubly hard! Cripes. I admire you, I had enough trouble coping and I certainly wasn't with child!

The beginning of a flying career is always the hardest, so hold on tight, and things WILL get better. Promise.

[Roxswood]

Hi yes it was me who messaged you

We're not sure where DH will be based yet, we were hoping for Liverpool as line training base so he could be home every night over my due date but it looks like he's got Stansted so he'll be 4 hours drive away and away for 5nights then home for 4 unless we request some time off but thats obviously risky in case baby doesn't come when we expect.

He's doing his first Line training flight today, first time ever with passengers and the beginning of his paid career. I'm so incredibly proud of all he's achieved but the last few months haven't been easy at all, we've moved house 3 times since I got pregnant and our 3 year old daughter and I have been following him from hotel room to hotel room as much as possible but now I'm over 37 weeks pregnant that no longer seems wise so he's left us behind and now I have flu.. grump grump..

I will look out for Sophie and see if I can PM her Thanks very much.