Gadling

As a retired crew member after 40yrs 273 dys on the clock(who was counting?) I think I can address this. People don't enter into relationships to be alone. Even more so with marriages. But the facts are, if you have a relationship as or with a crew member, everybody is going to spend a lot more time alone than they would prefer. If you are the one at home and things go wrong at home(appliances, kids injuries or misbehaviors, accidents etc.) and you have to deal with them by yourself without the help of your partner, you will start resenting their absence. Not intellectually, but emotionally. On the other side if you are the one away from home, you will find yourself missing some key events with your partner/family members. Recital, ballgames, first steps, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays etc. At some point, you will start the resentment game too! You spend a nite away from home on one of those key events with nothing but the hotel mini-bar as a companion and there is a detachment. Your crews become your "family" 'cuz they understand. Then the two situations come together at the same time. You missed an event and are depressed and feeling detached and come home wanting comfort and understanding. You walk in the door and somebody says" The water heater blew, flooded the basement and the kids are sick. What are you going to do?" What a happy home. Not! I could go on, but you get the drift. It's tough. I personally married another crew member and we flew together every trip for 25 yrs. Not always possible but it was something we wanted to do and we are still very happy together. ( Harder now that I'm retired and she still flies! And for all the reasons I just listed) Good luck to all!

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