I've been regionals for 8 years now, including one furlough, and have been married for 9. Not a week goes by that I don't contemplate hanging up this career. I have to give my wife credit - after all this time she still stands firmly by me and supports me. But I feel incredibly guilty when I leave her for trips. And with us trying to have kids this year I find myself really questioning if staying at this is the right thing to do.

I commute now, and although we see each other a little less (I have semi senior schedules), things are better because she has a support structure in place of family and friends. When we lived in base it was horrible! She missed home and friends and family so bad she was on the verge of serious depression - which weighed heavily on me on trips. Also, my wife has some serious health problems which made not having a support structure in place while I was away actually frightening.

Anyway, good luck.