Originally Posted by Albief15

My wife still loves me after 24 years. I also think she appreciates the fact that I make a lot more money than the stay at home dad, or the school teacher that sees little Johnny every day, or the guy who is home every night but grabs a martini the moment he walks through the door so he can cope with a job, boss, and life that he hates....

I love seeing the world. I love skiing in Utah, fishing in Alaska, drinking beers in Germany, drinking wine in Paris, and getting paid to do so. I enjoy sharing pictures, emails, phone calls, and frequent flyer miles with the family I love. They know I love what I do, and when I can I unclench my tight little cheap-ass pilot hands off my wallet and I fly them to join me. I make 80-90% of the "important stuff", but when I miss an event my family understands that is the cost of doing business at times. Want a horsie? What to go skiing with daddy at Alta? Want to be have a car when you are sixteen? Want to be able to go out of state to college? Well...if you do--then pops has to pay some dues here and there.

Not every wife is like this, but mine certainly doesn't need me around 24/7. She has her own career, her own dreams, and I have found by supporting the heck out hers for over 20 years she has always supported mine too. Yeah its corny, but she is my best friend, and we are still very much in love after all these years. The pragmatic part of me says that perhaps not being around all the time facilitates some of that love, and direct deposit reinforces it as well. Seriously-- If you are insecure about your relationship this job could be hell. With the right partner its a ticket to some neat adventures you can share with the whole bunch.

Real story--missed my youngest (10) and wife's BD this week on a trip I tried to drop no less than 40 times without luck. Came home this weekend and took wife out for nice dinner and had a wonderful date. Church today followed by BD celebration for 10 year old. Then after lunch took kids out to our farm and did some shooting. I will also probably have lunch with both kids this week during school hours, something many other parents cannot do. When I am off--I'm home--helping with honey-dos, having fun with kids after school, and enjoying the time. My girls have seen New England, Alaska, Utah, California, Washington DC, Paris, Germany, and England all in the last 24 months. They get to do things most kids only get to do once every 2-3 years if ever.

I've got friends in other jobs, and some who stayed in the military or went AGR. They are home alright, but they are tired, stressed, and spend a lot of time I am around them talking office politics and stressing about the next big work issue. I have zero work stress to take home, and as a result I am pretty much ready and available to work, chaperone, play, chauffeur, dog-sit, cat-sit, or whatever else needs to be done around the house. I also just sent directions to a friend of how to get to a great little spot in Milan that serves some incredible black pasta and seafood. He is there on a layover now, and I've been several times in the last couple years. How many guys in your neighborhood know where to get a good meal in Cologne, San Francisco, Paris, or Campinas?

Its all perspective, but holy crap I wouldn't trade my life with anyone that I know. Its easy to feel sorry for yourself in a crappy hotel on the holiday away from family, but that is only part of the job. For every bad day you have at work there are others who have weeks of misery in their jobs. Try to keep the big picture, keep the family involved in what you are doing, and look for the chances to make this job fun for everyone. I took my wife on quite a few trips, and brought a lot of neat stuff home from around the country and globe for my kids. Pretty soon you may find they aren't upset you aren't there, but instead and asking for another snow globe from xxx or a new radio helicopter from China.

Then again--if it still isn't for you, cool. When you step back you just made a slot for someone else's dream to come true. It really does take all kinds.