- I married an airline pilot in November. Thanks to his work, we were able to have a very unique lifestyle.
- My husband has an irregular schedule, which makes it hard to plan, but the benefit is a big tradeoff.
- We plan to start a family one day, but for now we're enjoying our two-income, child-free situation.
My husband and I got married in November 2023, but we have been together for over 5 years. I watched his journey from teaching flying on Link-a-Dink piston airplanes to flying jet airliners.
He landed his first job with a regional airline operating on behalf of a major U.S. airline in October 2021, starting as a first officer, a common route for commercial pilots. He will begin his captaincy training this month.
His dream had always been to work for a passenger airline, so I knew what I was getting into when entering into this relationship. Friends who are spouses of pilots were quick to warn me about often spending nights alone and having unpredictable work schedules.
Before becoming an aviation reporter for Business Insider, I worked in the aviation industry for years, including as an airline operations representative, so I wondered what my life would be like if I married an airline pilot. I had a good understanding of it.
I like our lifestyle so far. My husband is away from home a lot, that's true, but the benefits easily outweigh the days we're apart. Especially if you're someone like me who is very independent and comfortable being alone.
But we don't have kids, so we're a two-income household, and our only responsibilities are our two cute dogs.
Airline pilots don't work a typical 9-5 job.
When my husband was first hired by an airline, he underwent over four months of training approximately 1,000 miles from home.
After that, he sat in “reserve,” meaning he only worked when called. If he was called to board a plane, he had to arrive at the airport within just a few hours.
This made regular outings before boarding the plane, like Wednesday night trivia and spontaneous camping, nearly impossible, as pre-flights were unpredictable. His commute often involved taking into account traffic in the New York City area.
Fortunately, the instability in the reservists only lasted about six months, and they were eventually able to secure a “line,'' or a predetermined monthly flight schedule.
Still, he's away from home about 15 nights a month and isn't always home on the weekends when I'm off work.
I also travel a lot for work, which makes coordinating my schedule even more difficult. Especially since I don't know his schedule until about 12 days before his flight begins that month.
Luckily, my husband has gained enough seniority that he can more easily bid on the vacation he wants, so he usually secures what he needs.
For example, last year we took almost all of November for our wedding and honeymoon, plus another 10 days off in March for a ski trip and a long weekend here and there. Obtained.
My husband will be on a plane for a long time between holidays.
My husband's monthly air travel is spread out as trips ranging from 1 to 6 days. This doesn't include unexpectedly spending the night in some city due to a delayed or canceled flight.
But his flight training would take us away for weeks or even months at a time. Being in a different time zone can make the house quiet and lonely, but I don't mind because it gives me space to focus on myself.
For example, he's been upgraded to captain and will be leaving at the end of April, so I'm taking the dogs on a multi-week road trip through the national parks of the United States in the DIY camper I built this winter.
I love the opportunity to travel guilt-free because my husband actively encourages my solo adventures even when he can't accompany me. This is the perfect environment and allows me to meet my own independence needs.
His upgrade training means he loses his high seniority as a co-pilot, so the pitfalls of reserve flying are reset until he can secure the front line again, but the promotion comes with at least a sizable raise.
Marrying an airline pilot has considerable benefits
It's no secret that people who work in the airline industry receive great travel benefits, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a huge benefit in exchange for an irregular and unpredictable work schedule.
My husband's salary is one of the questions people ask me most, especially given the recent salary increases across the industry post-pandemic.
In short, yes, the pay is good and he will make six figures as captain. That's a big boost from the meager checks he received while training that barely covered his rent.
In my opinion, even better than the salary is the aviation allowance that supports your love of travel.
Airline employees and their dependents (spouses, parents, children, etc.) can fly for free or at a significant discount if seats are available. Her husband now has more control over her flight schedule, which makes it easier to use.
We used this benefit to visit friends and family in places like Denver, Las Vegas, and Florida. We have also flown to several international destinations in Germany, France and the UK.
I sometimes fly as a passenger when he flies the plane, and it's always a great experience.
Children create unique complexities
I really like the dual income, no kids, or DINK lifestyle, but I do plan on having kids someday. I know it will add a whole new complication to our marriage and his job.
Our best friends are married, one is an airline pilot, the other is a nurse, and they already have two children. So I've already seen some of the ups and downs that come with growing up in a family whose parents are airline pilots.
But they make it work because they have a great way of managing their priorities when it comes to work and family. And I'm already taking notes.
