Hang In There!

When I first became aware of pilot wives, as a group of women, I knew I technically belonged, but I wasn’t sure if I was fully considered a “pilot’s wife” in the same sense as most of the other women here. After all, my husband went to work every morning at the local airport, flew around on little prop planes, and came home again at the end of the day. He wasn’t a captain or a first officer; he didn’t fly for a regional or a major; there were never any long commutes or trips away from home for days. He was a corporate pilot for a small company, flying around South Texas. Or he was a charter pilot flying tourists to the beaches in Costa Rica. Or he was a Chief Flight Instructor flying circuits around a tiny airport in China.

There’s nothing wrong with any of that, in fact I believe that we lived and breathed aviation far more than those in the airline lifestyle. Still, when I told people my husband was a pilot, they’d immediately ask, “Oh yeah? Which airline?” or “You get free tickets, right?” or “How exciting for him to fly those big airplanes.” They always looked at me funny when I explained it wasn’t like that. It does seem that those outside the industry consider being an airline captain as the pinnacle of the pilot career, when in fact there are many roles and paths in aviation, all desirable depending on our individual goals and desires.

Flying for the airlines was never my husband’s dream. He knew it would be difficult for him to do so – a non-US citizen with a FAA license; a European without a JAA license. So we’ve done the best we could and had some amazing experiences. We’ve survived the post 9/11 downturn and the recent recession. All it comes down to is that he just wanted to fly and I have supported him nonstop in his dream – even moving to China to do so. I did this without hesitation, craving a bit of adventure of my own. At this point there’s no place I wouldn’t go, except for maybe Iraq or Afghanistan.

So even though we’ve persevered, the last year has been discouraging and daunting as we searched for an “upgrade” in jobs. My husband, with his 15 years of experience and 4000+ hours, just didn’t seem to have the right passport or the right type of hours or the right type rating, etc. We were fairly close to just throwing in the towel on our expat aviation career and applying for a green card to the US, where he might be able to find a regional first officer position.

Then it happened. Out of the blue. Which is why I’m here to say to all those wives out there in a position similar to mine – don’t give up! Hang in there! Last month a Chinese friend mentioned to his acquaintance, a pilot for a business aviation company, that he knew a foreign pilot with Chinese licenses who was looking for a new position. Within a few weeks my husband was offered a great job – a first officer on a business jet with the possibility of cross-training on the Airbus A318 Elite. He’ll be flying businessmen and wealthy clients across Asia.

I’m still not an “airline pilot’s wife,” but I might have to start dealing with some of the scheduling issues that concern so many of you. We’ll be relocating to Beijing. While that might sound challenging and/or scary, keep in mind we’ve been living the past 4 1/2 years in rural China, where it’s hard to even buy a cup of coffee. Beijing is like New York City to us! I couldn’t be more excited.

Contributed by Heather, a “regular” in the Pilot Wives Club. You can check out her blog at http://global-gal.com/ Thanks, Heather, for sharing your non-airline story and letting us know there IS another side to aviation!

Let’s Get Our Priorities Straight . . .

The news articles are all over the internet and television reporting on The National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation to use the “black box” voice recordings to monitor pilots and their conversations/activities in the cockpit.  The recommendation has been put forth due to recent pilot distractions that have led to airline mishaps (the Buffalo crash and the Northwest crew that flew 100 miles past their intended destination).  The National Transportation Safety Board is convinced that if the government monitors pilot conversation in the cockpit, our flights would be safer.  *** Pilot Wife rant begins** . . .

Really?  So the cause of the fatal Buffalo crash was due to the conversation taking place in the cockpit — not the fact that the pilots were paid less than $25,000/year, which in turn facilitated a need to work a second job, which in turn makes for an exhausted pilot who enters the cock pit, tired, underpaid and overworked.  No — let’s just say all conditions were perfect and the pilots were talking in the cockpit.  Seriously?  Is anyone else buying this theory?  I, by no means, am discounting the fact that people lost their lives.  No one . . hear me. . . NO ONE, including the pilots, want that to happen.  No pilot enters the cockpit and says, “I’m going to distract myself and fly this plane into the ground.”  Accidents happen . . . ACCIDENTS.  And I think it is unfair to put all of the blame on the pilots.

Pilots go through rigorous training.  My husband is subjected to at least two “check rides” a year to test his flight knowledge and provide additional training.  If a pilot fails these “check rides” the company provides additional training to the pilot.  If the pilot’s performance does not improve, the pilot can be fired.  Ask any pilot and they’ll tell you these check rides are taken very seriously. 

Pilots are required to have a physical performed by a physician once a year.  Pilots must have a medical certificate stating that they are fit to fly.  Medications are monitored by the physician.  Some pilots are afraid to take medications for fear that it may affect their medical certification.

Now . . . I’m a smart woman and I can see the need for change in the industry.  With that being said, let’s get our priorities straight.  Instead of concentrating on pilot conversation in the cockpit, why don’t we look at more pressing issues such as Pilot and Crew rest rules.  Let’s start asking the question of how much time in the cockpit in a twenty four hour period is too much?  Is a pilot flying several legs a day rested enough to make critical decisions?

And why don’t we take a look at pilot pay?  Airlines are constantly lowering the price of tickets –  But, at what cost to you, the passenger?  If pilots, who are clearly not living beyond their means, but have racked up nearly $50-$75,000 in student loans, have to take on a second  or even third job just to pay the bills - should we not consider that this could be a problem?  Take a look people . . . becoming a pilot is expensive. 

People put their lives in the hands of doctors every day.  Medical malpractice is rampant.  Cost of healthcare is through the roof.  What’s next?  Are we going to start putting voice recorders in the operating room?  How about on the public transportation buses?  They have accidents that can potentially take lives — will we install a voice recorder for them?  I know, it sounds ridiculous and people are going to tell me that it’s not a fair comparison . . . but really?  Why not?

So, what do you think?  Feel free to comment, but keep it respectful!  I’m willing to hear both sides of the coin . . . but again, keep it respectful! 

In the next few days, I’m going to begin a series addressing the real truth about being a pilot as told by his wife.  The truth about pilot pay.  The truth about the glamorous life that most people assume pilot’s live. 

Stay tuned . . . you won’t want to miss this!

Until next time, keep the wheels down and leave the flying up to him!