August is going to be rough

My daughter should arrive August 11th. Due to complications during the first two attempts at being parents my wife is high risk. She's had a rough 9 months and is ready to be done. Her Doctor is going to induce her two weeks early. Since I know the date, I attempted to get the day off by moving my reserve days around. Crew scheduling used their rubber stamp, "Denied Due to Staffing Levels." Nice.

I stopped by the Chief Pilot's office today. After explaining I tried to swap days around to get the days off but was denied, he assured me I would have the days off I need. Paid or unpaid. I can either borrow from my two weeks vacation for next year OR get the day off unpaid. I think I'm going to go for the latter. Got vacation plans next year.

Beyond that I am going on vacation next month. My wife and I are joining her family at a resort in the northwest. My vacation starts August 21st. I only get 7 days off. I need more. Thus I had to swap my reserve days around. So instead of a slightly hectic August...I have a REALLY hectic August.

Starting August 1st I work 6 on, 1 off, 5 on, 3 off, 4 on, then vacation. The first 12 days are going to be rough. Especially with the baby on the way.

Traveling with a newborn will be interesting as well. No longer do I have to make sure my wife and I can get on...now I have to worry about the baby. Thus we bought a real ticket for our first trip. Just for her of course. For the first time in years we will be...checking bags. Since she is on a "real" ticket she will have to pay to check bags. Since I'm jump seating I can check two bags free.

Beyond that...flew 58 hours this month. Crazy. Felt like a real pilot...almost. That is the most number of hours I have flown in the last 12 months.

I worked the last 6 days. Off the next two. Going to enjoy them.