[I still can't figure out how any pilot that has children in school would be able to to bid either one of these FDS's with no provisions for schooling?]

You commute. I know a guy who commutes to SFS from N.C. Knew a guy who commuted to SFS from Costa Rica. We have guys commute to ANC from Florida. If you live in/near MEM, IND or EWR, Paris is no big whoop. If you are in The Pelosi Republic of California, there are lots of SFO and LAX options to HKG. I know, I know, that's time away from the family but this is a job, not an adventure. If you are truly a mercenary, like some of us, then, with the proper use of vacation and anal glaucoma, you should have many more days at home than Bob next door, the traveling salesman. Besides, 20 guys in a crashpad at $150 per month....bingo....3 grand!