Jay getting off of the carrier when it returns to port?

Being that Jay is an aviator, wouldn't he fly to Oceana NAS or where ever the rest of the air wing is based? Did he ride the carrier into port because he was a replacement pilot, or did they shoot it that way because a family reunion would look good in the film? I know LSO's and Shooters stay with the ship on the way into port but it seems strange that an active aviator to not fly off with his squadron.