I'm Kristie, Doug's wife. I have been Doug's other half for over a decade and know his "aviation side" very well. I met doug when he was flight instructing back in 1993 and have been with him thru thick and thin since then.

I've been asked a lot of questions about what it's like being the pilot's significant other, what to expect and what to enjoy. So, I thought I'd put together a page that explains a bit about playing "the" major role in a pilot's life.

At times, Doug will get an email from a signifcant other, whether married or not, whose partner is considering a career in aviation asking how it can potentially affect their relationship. Doug usually forwards that email to me since I am the significant other and can totally relate to the question(s) being asked. So, if you recieve an email from me instead of doug - then you know why! :-)

Pilots Significant Other FAQ:

Will he/she be gone all the time?

Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. Our life basically runs around his schedule and there isn't much we can do about it other than try to rearrange his schedule prior to the beginning of the month and arrange vacations correctly at the beginning of the year. Most pilot schedules are arranged on a month to month basis. For example, Doug puts his bid selections in on the 7th of the month, gets his schedule on the 15th of the month and if there's any particular line of time that he doesn't like, he can try to trip trade or drop trips with other flight schedules. But moveups, trip trades, swaps and drops don't always work - so a lot of times, you have to take what you can get and go with the flow. Sometimes that means rescheduling special occasions, vacations or actually having to miss out on events. That's just how it goes...

The length of his trips range from 1-4 day trips, depending on whether there's a commute involved or not. Doug normally chooses to do 3-4 day trips, that way he has opportunities of getting up to a week and a half off consecutively. There are times, however, when Doug does get a trip where he'll fly for 3 days, have one day off and then fly for another 4 days. That type of arrangement doesn't happen very often, however. But it does happen.

I think the 'hated' trips are when he gets an entire month schedule with no weekends off . This means that his off days are my work days - so I find it important, for me, to have a work schedule that's flexible so we can spend some time together.

Right now, we don't have any kids, so his schedule doesn't impact our lives too much, unless we have scheduled plans or are trying to coordinate schedules. But from what I hear, if you have kids or are planning on having kids, it can get a bit tricky. I don't know much more than that though. If anyone has any better information on children's lives within the family structure, please let me know and we'll include a more detailed section.

The great thing I find with Doug being 'gone a lot' is that I get my privacy on the days he's gone. In a sense, when he's gone, I gain my independence back in full force. I have to take care of myself, provide for myself, look after our animals (two cats) and all the normal things I would do if I were not in a relationship. It also gives me time to go out with the girls, time to pay the bills and have a good time without having to worry about the man being home alone or getting the third degree when I got back from my time on the town. I find many times that when doug's home, I'm not able to get the things done that I need to get done, so when he's on the road - I'm working like a madwoman trying to "get things done" as well as working extra hours to make up for any flex time that I've taken off of work.

"What is initial & recurrent training like for you - as Doug's significant other?"

Initial Ground and simulator training itself can last for 6 weeks when your first hired to a major airline (at least, it was for him when he went to initial groundschool). The amount of time spent in training depends on whether you're SO is changing planes or "seats" (upgrading from FO to Captain on the same aircraft type) or whether your SO is completing the semi-annual recurrent training. If he/she is changing planes, seats and/or is a new recruit, the training takes approximately 6 weeks. Recurrent training is usually 3 to 4 days and apparently there is no training involved to change bases as long as you remain on the same aircraft. Doug has changed planes 3 times now and each time he's decided to change planes, he's also had to change bases. This time, he's only changing bases (from DFW to ATL) so there's no training required, at this time.

Training is taught in Atlanta - the main hub. When he went for initial training, he wasn't able to take much time off because of the studying required. For his plane change from 737 to MD88/90, he was able to come home almost every weekend and study at home. I guess it depends on the type and length of training as to whether or not the pilots will be in Atlanta for the entire duration. When our pilots are going through the training phase, they are not normally given any breaks except for 1 or 2 possible weekends. This depends on whether the training and simulator schedules are running on schedule and how much studying may be involved.

Normally, when Doug goes to training, I won't see him the entire time [note: unless you are an ATL-based pilot and live in ATL]. I'd say that 85% of the reason we don't get to see them is because of a rigorous training and study schedule and the other 15% is because of flight schedules to go home (sometimes they can be not so accommodating!). The good thing about training is that our pilots are getting to where they want to be careerwise and the training only lasts for what I remind myself as "temporary". So, it's worth the time - but does require patience!

"Are the benefits good and are they good for families?"

I think the benefits from the airline are excellent (I only know our benefits however). From what I experienced, the medical, dental are one of the best since they also have to benefit the pilots themselves. However, the vision has something to be desired since I, personally, don't like mall optical stores and would prefer a optical physician with their own practice and not a chain store...but, that's me! haha

As far as the travel benefits are concerned, I enjoy them on a regular basis, even though we have to deal with security issues, packing issues, load issues etc. Since Doug and I are married, I have a spouse card to use for my flight travels. Before we were married, Doug put me down as a companion and I was able to use the companion card for my travels. The companion card worked for me like a buddy pass would work for our friends. I would get to fly for the price of the taxes on a last minute fare, or what they call a "10% yield fare". I'd also get better priority codes than the normal S4 buddy pass. With my spouse card, I get to fly for free anywhere on, their codehares and connections. I also get to fly transoceanic for the taxes of entering/leaving each country (usually a $50 fee or so). Doug's able to have free flight priveleges like me, but also get to take the jumpseat if it's open (that's something I do not get to do). His parents and his dependents also get flight priveleges. Doug gets about 6-8 buddy passes per year which cost the 10% last minute yield fare.All of our travel is standby only. Revenue pax always come first, which takes a while to understand. Let me go into further detail on the companion card and buddy passes..

With the companion card & buddy pass, you pay for the taxes associated with a full-fare ticket. the fee is usually 10% of the last minute full fare. For example, a full fare last minute ticket from PHX to TPA might cost around $1500. With a buddy pass or companion card, that cost is cut to about $150 +/- taxes/security fee for a round trip flight. However - and this is a BIG however - with a companion card, you have more priority choices (S2, S3 & S4) so you have more possibilities of getting on the flight depending on which priority you use - S2 is highest. Buddy passes ONLY operate on an S4 pass. That means your the IN the shiznit and IF the loads are excellent and IF there aren't many revenue pax changes, then you'll probably be able to get on the flight - if not, then you wait for the next flight... because why? your at the END of the entire list when you or any of your people fly on a buddy pass. Just keep that in mind!

All of these travel benefits are for "standby" travel. For those of you who don't understand what 'stand by' means, here's a brief explanation.

When you paid for your non revenue pass, you paid a smaller fee than a revenue passenger did. Revenue passengers always come first - there's no way to get past that. If the flight is full of revenue passengers then what the agents will normally do is call you up and tell you that they're booking you on the next flight (still as standby)…from there, you just keep winging it (patience is really a virtue when non-reving). Normally, it is much better to know ahead of time what the loads are (amount of empty seats vs. paid seats) and how many other non-rev passengers are signed up for the flight. There are easy ways of doing this, for instance, I use Doug's Net online access to look at passenger load information for the flights before I get ready to embark on my adventure.

I usually go for the flights that look great with loads (it gives me the best possible chance of getting on the flight). If the loads look good and there are seats available, then go directly to the terminal, check in and wait for them to assign you a seat. <- you used to be able to do that, but now with security as it is... you have to go thru the ticket line or kiosk first to get a boarding pass -> then you can go to the terminal. Once the agents call you up and you get an actual 'seat' ticket vs. your 'seat request' then you're set and signed up for that particular seat and you need to call your people to let them know you made it on the flight and when to pick you up or what not...and you're on your way.

"Can families fly when their pilot is on duty?"

Sure, there's no reason why a pilot's family cannot fly with him when he's actually on duty and flying the plane. There are some considerations to be aware of when you're flying with your significant other while they're on duty…

1) Be aware that they are on duty and that's very different from them just flying non-rev with you. They'll be working, so they can't really talk or spend time with you on the flight and it is your responsibility to get on the flight since they'll already be doing all of their 'checklist' work while your boarding.

2) If your pilot has more than one trip that day. For example, he/she files from Dallas-New York-Dallas-Fort Lauderdale, then it'll cost you less money (if your using a buddy pass or companion pass) to meet him later at the end of the day's trip, because each leg costs you $$. That way, you're guaranteed some time. The more legs you travel (one way), the more you pay to fly and the more opporunity for you to be bumped off of the plane and stranded. With a spouse pass, you don't have to worry about the added cost since it is free - but you can still be bumped.

3) Be advised that if the flight is full, you'll have to wait for the next flight. Remember that you are non-reving, your pilot is working, so there is always a possibility that the flight will be full and the time spent flying with your pilot may not work out to your best advantage or not at all. Flying with your pilot while he is on duty is (IMO) much more difficult than if you just take a non-rev vacation together.

4) Find out when the best layover is… the longer the layover time, the more time to get to spend in a particular city. This is where the international pilots have the best odds… because when they go overseas, they take the whole family along and they get at least 2 days of layover time. The hotel cost is free because their 'on-duty', so all they have to pay for are meals and the transoceanic cost or buddy pass cost for each person flying with. Most flights overseas on a buddy pass or companion pass range around $300-$400 roundtrip. What a deal!!

5) Have a good time! Even though your pilot is working, he/she can still have a really great time without them ever really knowing that your taking a vacation while he's on duty (not that it's a bad thing or wrong thing to do mind you… it's mostly just none of their business what you do when and where)

6) OOHHHH and one more itsy bitsy thing… unless your pilot is on a long layover, remember that there's no imbibing allowed. Pilots are only allowed to drink alcohol if they're on a long layover and they cannot drink within 8 hours before being on duty.

Here are some examples of good layovers and bad layovers to try:

Good Layover:

Say Doug's layover city for the night is Reno, NV (normally, Reno is considered a long layover city). He gets to Dallas (his base) early in the morning, for his first three legs of the day before the Dallas to Reno leg of the trip. I would leave Phoenix to join him for that last fight of the day to Reno. We would then get to Reno with 25 hours to spare and a room/per diem that's already reserved. After our free time, we would then get a ride from the hotel (since he's going on duty) and as long as he has a flight from Reno to Dallas, I could then fly back with him and head straight back to Phoenix, otherwise I have to find my own way home.

Bad Layover:

If Doug is flying from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale, to Kansas City, to Louisville, and only staying in Louisville for 9 hours with a 4am pickup, then there really isn't a chance for me to meet up with him in Dallas first off, and with such a short layover and an early pickup, I would be on my own to find my own ride back home. That's not always good or fun!

"How can I be flexible to help fit into my future pilot's schedule?"

This is kind of a difficult question to answer because there is more than one way of being flexible to make things work better. My idea of flexibility is in communication. Doug and I talk every day or we at least we try to. We try to keep that contact so we don't have any or many misunderstandings while he's away. It's worked very well for us so far! Just to have him call me up or to have me call him up and say 'hi' for 2 seconds is excellent communication. Sometimes we only page each other's phone and leave a text message and it really does the trick. we especially like it when we joke with each other during our text messages… for instance, a pilot friend of Doug's (Hi Gary :-P ) has an affinity to the movie, "Mars Attacks". So every now and then Doug and I send "ack ack. ack "- to each other via text message. We figure, if you don't grab life by the reins and have some fun, then we're seriously wasting precious time!

The other way I try to help our relationship stay 'in touch' is by alternating my work schedule when we need to. Like on months when Doug has zero(0) weekends off, it really suxs. So, I work for a company that offers flexible scheduling. This way, if I want to take a few days in the week off, I can, provided that I put in my 40 hours of time. Sometimes I do 10 hour days so we can have a three day weekend, sometimes I take a day off during the week and work on Saturday to make it up and sometimes I just take vacation or sick days (don't tell my boss I play hooky now!). There are days where I'll just take a few hours too and go home early, or stay home a little longer for breakfast - depends on how you want to spend your time!

Like I said in the beginning of this page, we have to live around his schedule. My part is in support and in return, I get a great relationship, well worth the effort with very little misunderstandings. Sometimes, it's very difficult to do, especially when you think your really getting the raw end of the deal (which I've had to gnaw my teeth through on several events), but you do get through it and as long as you can get through it, then it's one more hurdle covered. Just remember to remind your significant other that the same goes both ways and if you don't both work hard at being flexible, being there, having ultimate patience and trust, then it just won't work and you'd be better off to continue on your way.

"Is there a lot of financial burden during schooling and after beginning an airline career?"

Well, to be honest, yes, there can be. It depends on how you take 'financial burden'. I didn't know Doug when he was going through flight school & college. I met doug when he was flight instructing and after about 3 months of talk talk over the internet, we were pretty much attached at the hip (sight unseen) and he was on a really low budget ($10,000 per year). Luckily, he was living with his uncle and saving up his money to come meet me. When Doug moved and went to the regional airlines (physically moved to wisconsin to work for Skyway Airlines), I think the highest salary he attained was $14,000. So it can be stressing on the budget when you're starting out. But once you get up to the major airlines, the pay increases start building exponentially. He started his first year at $36,000 per year and now that he's coming up to his 7th year, he's up to $125,000… so it can really increase fast. Just remember that as fast as your paycheck increases, so do your income taxes.

When Doug was making $14,000 at Skyway Airlines, he really didn't have any taxes to pay because anything under $15,000 (at the time) was considered welfare wages. All of that has now changed since he's in a higher tax bracket and we both believe he's paying about 46% tax (all taxes included) on each paycheck even with owning a home and using it as a deductible… that amounts to a hefty hefty sum of money - just GONE! Especially when you think you could really used that money for kids, pets, travel etc... etc. So just be forewarned that it's great money but it's like magic. Here today, gone tomorrow!

Oh and one more bit of good advice. Another add-on to keeping the relationship healthy - live within your means. If your pilot is making really good money and you're reaping it in like we hope you will, just live like you always do. Don't go too extravagant because that's where the money troubles tend to end up and where the relationship can really fall apart quickly. Put the extras in the bank for a rainy day or for retirement. It'll be well worth the wait!! Most divorces begin with money and end up with broken hearts.

Feel free to email me with any questions or comments you have - I just may add them to the page!