Can Two Pilots Have A Successful Relationship?

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Can Two Pilots Have A Successful Relationship?

Pilot RelationshipsDo you remember the first time you saw a crew walk through the airport on their way to work? Professional pilots walking upfront in their distinguished uniform & female flight attendants neatly dressed in high heels following closely behind. Well, a lot has changed since then. Thanks to initiatives to increase diversity in the aviation industry, there’s no longer anything unusual about finding women flying jets while men serve meals in the cabin. But that’s not the only change: as a result of more women gaining their wings, it’s not unusual for two pilots to l& up in a committed relationship.

You’re probably wondering how a relationship like this could work. After all, you’ve probably heard of the challenges that arise when only one partner is a pilot. How could it possibly work when two pilots are involved? The answer is simple, & the principle can be applied to any aspect of life: if you really want something, you’ll do anything to achieve it. So there are several aviation couples who prove that love really is in the air & that pilots can have successful relationships.

Some pilots agree that their connection with a partner is deeper when they’re both aviators. Why?

Firstly, they have a shared passion for flying (remember, aviation is a lifestyle – not a job). So the chances are that your partner would be willing to allocate a monthly allowance to fly together in general aviation – imagine hopping into a Cirrus & flying away together for a romantic getaway.

Secondly, their partner understands what they’re talking about when they

offload after a bad day at work & lastly, their partner is familiar with the stress that goes h& in h& with an aviation career.

So, if you’re looking to build a relationship with another aviator, here are some tips from pilot couples who have managed to beat the odds & are still happily in love.

 

  1. Communication

Pilot couple planningWithout clear communication, no relationship can thrive. This is especially true with two pilots because the challenges faced are less predictable. Being able to talk through problems & having the ability to develop solutions when obstacles present themselves is the only way to build a solid foundation. This also applies when being away from each other while on layovers. We can thank technology for making this part easier – find out what makes your partner smile & do it! It might be having your morning coffee together over a Skype call, or watching the same episode on Netflix together (despite being in different countries). Trust me, even something as simple as a quick text saying you’ve landed safely goes a long way.

 

 

2. Prioritizing Your Partner

Perhaps it’s your dream to fly long haul or to upgrade to Captain as quickly as possible. But, this might not be what’s best for your relationship. Setting your priorities from the get-go will help you make the right decision when opportunities present themselves. Maybe your partner is going through a challenging time & needs you to be around more than usual. Would you be willing to delay progress in your career to make your relationship work?

3. Planning Rosters Together

The beauty of this job is that it is not a 9 – 5 routine like most other professions. The downside is that it can be hard to spend quality time together if your schedules don’t match. To avoid missing each other, discuss how to request flights every month to increase the chances of being on the ground at the same time. Some of the more progressive airlines understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, so they are accommodating of crew married to each other – they’ll make a point of designing rosters to ensure maximum time at home together.

4. Holidays & Special Events

Unfortunately, holiday seasons are peak travel periods & bringing people’s families together is only possible by spending time apart from your own. With some creativity, you can still find a way to celebrate with the one you love. For example, move Christmas celebrations from the 25th of December to a day when you are both off duty. & request days off for special events such as birthdays & school concerts (especially when children are involved).

5. Disturbed Sleep

We are all aware that pilots sleep schedules are disturbed by odd working hours. But what most don’t realize is that it also affects their partner’s quality of sleep. When waking up at 1 am for duty, it’s hard to get ready without accidentally waking up your significant other. Perhaps having a spare room to get ready in during awkward hours of the morning is a suitable strategy. You wouldn’t want your husband/wife to have fatigue because of you.

6. Building a Support Network

Things can become complicated once children enter the picture. However, this is true for any family where both parents are career-orientated professionals. Having a proper support network is the only way to maintain a healthy relationship while balancing all the rest. This network could be in the form of family, reliable friends or external services such as a care-taker. The option you choose would most likely depend on your location – if your career took you to another continent, the chances are you won’t have family nearby to help you through the challenges.

7. Being Their Biggest Supporter

How would you feel if your wife was upgraded to Captain before you? Would you still cheer them on if their career progressed faster than yours? This industry is full of surprises – airlines that are here one day cease to exist the next. Being supportive through the ups & downs will create happiness despite the circumstances.

Whether you met in flight school or on the job, as you can see, dating another pilot shouldn’t be viewed as a disaster waiting to happen. Every profession has its challenges. Possibly dating someone within your own will give you greater insights into their difficulties.

Just remember that nothing worth having comes easy.

Hopefully, these tips help you flourish in your relationships – & in the future, you’ll be passing on the advice of what you did to make your marriage last. Then, you’ll be proof that love is in the air & that pilots can have successful relationships.

 

 

Aviatrix West Guest WriterABOUT GUEST WRITER:

AVIATRIX WEST

27-year-old influencer, blogger, female pilot & a former flight attendant with a love for aviation. Well-known as Aviatrix West, originally from Canada but grew up in South Africa.

After working as a flight attendant in the Middle East, Aviatrix moved to Belgium to pursue a career as a pilot – after completing her Airbus A320 skills test. Aviatrix also holds a degree in Architecture

My aim is to help others realize their dreams in aviation by providing guidance to both flight attendants & pilots. I’d especially like women to see how exciting & accessible a career as a pilot is.

 

by 43airschool | Jun 9, 2020 | Aviatrix West Collaboration, Blog

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