I'm sure I caught EVERY pilot wife with that header! I hope it irratates you as much as it does me. Ok, here is the scenario.
Sitting at lunch with a few former co-workers and a friend says, "Yeah, tell them where your husband was headed yesterday?" (Side note - this happens a lot, actually. I think my husband's travels are cool, so I don't mind sharing. I just try not to be annoying and bring it up first. Only my closest friends are given that privilege!)
So I mention that DH flew from Las Vegas to Honolulu yesterday then had the day in Honolulu today before heading back to Las Vegas.
THAT opened a can of worms, you know because these three 50+ year old ladies know ALL ABOUT the industry.
"Pilot's never work"
"They always have three to four weeks off at a time"
"And they make so much!"
Please people. If we weren't in a resteraunt, my head would have spun and I would have divulged in a 40 minute conversation about the stupidity of those statements. So just to clear up any confusion non-pilot individuals may have, you get to hear it.
The first statement is loaded. For one, please realize that when pilots aren't working, they aren't paid. Just like most people. Plus, they are hourly and that hour starts at take-off and landing. That means commuting to work (typically in a different state), pre-flight checks, loading and unloading of passengers, etc. Lots of hours go into one hour of work.
Second, I don't know many pilots that are off three to four weeks at a time unless they are furloughed, and I have never seen that as a positive. Pilots are home several days in a row, but they are also gone. Away from family, friends and everything familiar. I've never done the math, but if you added up the hours a business, 9-5 man spends at home at night and during the weekends and the hours a pilot does, I'm almost positive a majority of the time, the business man comes out on top.
As for the last point, if they land the right job at the right company, they have the potential to make a lot. For the rest of them, I'll leave you with the article BFF Tyler posted.
Pilots can earn less the airport window washers
I must apologize for the rant. Since it is a little whiny, I'm not going to particularly advertise this post. Just needed to vent a little bit and ask people in the general population to be conscious of their diction. I am guilty of this as well but must always remember that I don't know what battle someone else may be fighting.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
First 757 Flight
My husband recently completed his first trip on a Boeing 757. I would say I am so proud of him, but that seems a little too motherly and creeps me out. So, I will simply say that I am ecstatic for him. For as long as I have known him, a whole four years, he has talked about flying that plane. Watching him fulfill his goals reminds me of the things I was so attractive to when we first met. I love his ambition and dedication and I never have to doubt that he will achieve the goals he sets.
My husband's BFF was attentive enough to pull up a flight tracker (I need to learn how to use those things) and snag this Shawn's first flight! Continually upstaged by the bromance, thanks Fries. :-) But kudos, very thoughtful!
The Omni Boeing 757, at least according to Google. Those that are more plane-versed, please forgive me if my research is incorrect. :-)
My husband's BFF was attentive enough to pull up a flight tracker (I need to learn how to use those things) and snag this Shawn's first flight! Continually upstaged by the bromance, thanks Fries. :-) But kudos, very thoughtful!
My husband had a free day in Las Vegas, where he proceeded to send me the following picture. I would like to take a moment and mention how much I LOVE receiving text pics from wherever he may be!
That is, until I am sitting in my bland, grey cube at work on a rain, cold day and he sends me this pic from Honolulu...
I'm so fortunate. I have a job I love, married to a man I love that is doing what he loves. This place is just oozing with mushy stuff.
Do I have moments where I feel sorry for myself? Unfortunately, yes. I did, however, just read a short article that made me smile. It talked about the benefits of taking adventures alone and how it helps you to truly learn yourself. I can honestly say that through the past two years, not only have a I learned more about my husband, but I have learned myself and become comfortable in my skin.
I've always been independent but it's like I found a new strength. I have always attributed it to being married to the right person, the one that makes your strive to be better without pressure or expectations. Now I realize it's also about pushing outside my comfort zone and I don't know what all I'm capable of quite yet.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Jazzy Pilot
Ok, so this is cheesy and a little raunchy at the end, but it really cracked me up. I would have never watched the whole thing but another wife recommended it, and I'm glad I suffered through because the end is funny, probably because I can totally relate.
Jazzy Pilot
How do I relate, you ask? No, I can't even impersonate "type talk." That's just weird to me.
I relate because everything somehow results in a checklist. If my pilot can't think of a checklist, he will just start reciting a take-off checklist...while driving down the road to the grocery store. Randomly.
Ok, maybe this is more a personal thing, but I don't start randomly quoting stock prices while pumping gas. Just saying.
This is my post for the day. Short and sweet. Just like me. (Ok, maybe more sassy then sweet and definitely not short. Maybe in my dream world.)
Jazzy Pilot
How do I relate, you ask? No, I can't even impersonate "type talk." That's just weird to me.
I relate because everything somehow results in a checklist. If my pilot can't think of a checklist, he will just start reciting a take-off checklist...while driving down the road to the grocery store. Randomly.
Ok, maybe this is more a personal thing, but I don't start randomly quoting stock prices while pumping gas. Just saying.
This is my post for the day. Short and sweet. Just like me. (Ok, maybe more sassy then sweet and definitely not short. Maybe in my dream world.)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
50 Rules for Dads of Daughters
I'm so blessed and reading this just confirmed it. My father did all these and so much more, he is so instinctive about it. I am a daddy's girl, and for good reason.
"I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believin'
There's no question, that's a lesson, that I learned from you"
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believin'
There's no question, that's a lesson, that I learned from you"
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
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