Originally Posted by
Willy
I'm a relatively new (2.5 yrs) MD-11 F/O at FDX and mostly fly international. I work about half the month. I'm happily married to my wife (just one) and have a couple of kids. I know many of you are in the same situation and have to deal with trip recovery time (jet lag), catching up with the family situation, and easing your way back into the lives of your spouse and kids without causing too much distress to them. I find it takes me about five days if I've been gone on a long trip (5-14 days).
For those of you who have been doing this a long time and have successfully kept your family happy, what are some techniques, rituals, habits, priorities, etc. that have worked for you?
Five days to recover.....way too long! After being gone for 17 days, I just jump right back into the normal "hustle & bustle". That first day back, I stay up and go to bed with everyone else. I try and take over all her duties of running the kids everywhere (three including two teenagers). I have got my two boys playing golf, so in the summer we go smack some balls around. Also, in the summer I take the kids fishing during the week, etc. Get into cooking and you will score some HUGE brownie points.
SKYPE is the way to go!