Follow up on "Life in BA"
 

Thanks guys for this brilliant thread. It is interesting what entails the life of an ATP.

I am weighing the pros and cons of becoming an ATP. What I missed in this thread was how it is like on a week to week basis.

Being married to a BA long haul cabin crew I know what discomforts you have to deal with. Long shifts, dodgy hotels and don't rule out the devastating effect that traveling through time-zones has on your health.

Whilst discussing my options for an integrated course in Oxford my wife said: Are you aware that if you go through with this we will never see each other for the rest of our careers.

Apart from the fact that I could probably retire at 55 (which is possibly 10 year earlier than what I'm facing now), is this the grim reality of a married pilot?

What I really would like to know is: Is there any short haul pilot out there that is married to a long haul cabin crew member?

How does your average working week look like?
How often do you see each other?
And more importantly: is it worth it?

Should I stop pursuing my dream and try to temper my passion with my PPL license or should I go for it in the hope that my marriage will survive this adventure?

Probably not in fact. Anyone who has 55 as the retirement date in their contract currently will still be able to go then, although anyone joining after 2006 (when you would almost certainly be) is unlikely to have that option. Obviously, you can leave when you like but if you're thinking pension then 55 is increasingly unlikely.

I'll let others discuss the pros and cons, suffice to say I've not married and the job has been a significant factor.

Dodgy Dutchman

I think she has got a good point, if you are BOTH long haul then you may not see much of each other I know several couples with this problem, however if you do not aspire to work for BA / long haul airline then it should not be too much of a problem. Most charters (SH) and LCC's you will be at home tucked up in bed every night (apart from when you are on a night flight !!!!).

If you really want to fly, then you will, I suspect that if I had been in your position then I'd use the 'We'll cross that bridge when we get there' attitude !!!

I would like to go short haul because I think it involves more a/c handling. I think that it will make the job more interesting, doesn't it.

Obviously I'd have to get there first and the chances that I'll be recruited by BA are not in my advantage just yet.

Doesn't BA offer the possibillity to have a joined roster?

When I graduate I'll consider any opportunity with any company. A job like you mentioned would definately be an option!

Only to cabin crew. Pilots can bid for similar trips/days off to their spouse (pilot), subject to the usual seniority stuff. However, it involves an awful lot of swapping and dependence on other people and their outside influences to enable a pilot/cabin crew couple to fly together. I've been asked if I would swap trips on occasion for this reason. Sometimes I have, sometimes I haven't.

Hotels
 

Dodgy Dutchman,

"dodgy hotels"? Don't know what you mean there. BA hotels are all pretty good. At least 4 star and usually 5.

The problem is that when you're spoilt (and I'm not saying that the cabin crew are spoilt... Okay, yes I am) by consistently staying in fabulous hotels; well some people like to complain when they have to 'put up with' an ordinary Marriott.

PS I'm at BA, I'm junior.... But I'm still a big fan of the job and the lifestlye.