If you’ve been involved with an airline pilot before, you are already aware of the challenges associated with it, as well as the perks. Airline pilots are always on the go and they rarely get to have long periods of time where they get to spend time with their loved ones. Sometimes, they are away on trips three to four nights a week, they have short notice schedules which make planning things in advance nearly impossible. Needless to say, it takes a strong connection to maintain a happy and healthy relationship with a pilot.
For those who have never dated or married a pilot, they are under the impression that a pilot is rarely faithful and they use their travels to meet and hook up with all sorts of members. Sure, pilots often find themselves in situations where cheating is a possibility, the truth of the matter is a cheater will cheat regardless of their profession.
With that said, there is something to be said about a person who can commit to dating or marrying a pilot. If you’re someone that prefers not to be alone and has a history of trust issues, you may not want to date an airline pilot.
Here are some things that will help you determine if dating a pilot is for you.
Communication:
Communication is important for any relationship, but it is especially important for those dating a pilot.
Pilots spend numerous days away from their families and it can create this void because they just aren’t there. By keeping the lines of communication open, you are helping your pilot feel a little more connected to the goings on within the family. Sure, while the pilot is in flight, he won’t be able to be reached and they may wind up in different time zones, which adds extra pressure to find a time to communicate, but it will force both parties to try that much harder. Too often pilots don’t think about checking in with their families when they land. This breakdown in communication only breeds insecurities and trust issues, which ultimately can ruin any relationship.
Be Flexible:
Dating a pilot means that you are going to have to constantly adjust your schedule to suit theirs. Many pilots who are flying will receive their flight schedules for a few months at a time. While this may not seem like a big deal, you are going to have to work your schedule in accordance. This means that you may not be able to fly home to see your family for the holidays, as there is no guarantee that they will be home.
This is especially true for pilots who fly reserve lines. This means that they are on call and they live day to day, rather than have a schedule to rely on. The life of a reserve line pilot is even more hectic because while they may be home enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, if they get a call that they have to fly out right away, they have to go.
Create a Support Team at Home:
Whether you are married to a pilot or just dating one, you are going to want to have a group of people around you that can be your support team. Since pilots are usually based out of a specific hub, you may not be able to reach out to family members easily. In certain situations where you have to go away, you will want to surround yourself with people who understand what you’re going through.
This could be especially challenging if you have children, as you aren’t going to have that father figure around all the time to back you up. Fortunately, one of the perks of dating a pilot is that you have flight benefits. This means that you’ll be able to fly home whenever you’d like, or, you could also have them fly in to see you.
While we cannot say what is best for your situation, we can tell you that dating a pilot is something that you should think about beforehand. Dating a pilot has its rewards just like it has its drawbacks. You just have to decide what you can deal with and what you can’t, as with any relationship.