how do you do it?

[Regina]

Okay, I'm not sure if I'm putting this in the right forum, but anyway,...

Hubby wants to get a job with FAA. He has never been interested in overseas flying, and actually considers that a negative to the majors. Regional flying has been great, and he has flown corporate for a major company. Corporate isn't for him either. So our choices are the faa or staying at a great company flying regionals. Schedule is pretty good, but how do you raise a family being gone 4 days a week; especially a family as large as ours'?

Statistically speaking, more than half of all new marriages end in divorce. How high is that statistic in the airlines? From my understanding, and I am not saying I am right, but it seems pretty high. So, one of my questions is to those of you that have been married for over 10 years, and have kids, how do you do it? How do you do the mom-dad responsibilities for 4 days by yourself without losing your marriage or your kids?

Another drawback of the majors is that when hubby jumpseats, the crews tell him how he has to apply. They go on talking and although they are nice guys, they begin talking about what number marriage they are on or what is wrong with their kids.

So other than the faa or corporate, what other opportunities are there for pilots? cargo isn't an option, he would definetly fall asleep if he had to fly in the middle of the night.

so, maybe by writing, I am answering my own questions. I know that being married to a pilot is a challenge sometimes, heck, marriage itself is a challenge sometimes. But what job as a pilot would be easier raising a family? Our goal isn't about careers anymore; that all changes when you have more responsibilities than just you. The focus goes from a "me" attitude to what is best for your family....not meaning you can't have a wonderful career too. So, we are now focusing on a "we" attitude. What would be best for us. One goal is obviously beating the statistics of divorce. Another goal: raising kids that are happy, well-adjusted, moral kids. What is the best way to do that in this industry?

I am not judging the whole divorce thing; my sister is divorced. What I am saying is that divorce is hard for anybody and I don't want to go through it. Just wanted to add that before someone thought I was meaning otherwise.