Originally Posted by
sflpilot
Is there is absolutely any way to drive to a base that should be your first and only option. Forget about the other details on everything else. The commute by air will wreck your life.
I second this. Commuting is bad, like real bad. The only ones that can honestly say it isn't bad are those that are single and without family. Everyone else is just telling you lies. Commuting WILL, without a doubt, take you away from your family. There is no other way around it. You will miss more time with them, you will not always make it home, you will be more tired, you will be more stressed.
You can always tell the three pilot types that have it the hardest physically and mentally. Long haul international, night cargo and commuters. Again, people will argue this isn't true, but it is.
Good luck and try and pick the one that will allow you to drive. Even if it is a 3-4 hour drive, it will always be better knowing you have a way to your family that is under your control.