Originally Posted by
Cougs
I was AD. I’ve got job opportunities with defense contractors that pay around $200/yr, working 4/10s, holidays and weekends off, the work is enjoyably and easy, and no work follows you home. Yes, you get more time off with United, but it’s a zero sum game. If I’m sitting on a beach in Aruba, not working, then my wife is working her butt off at home chasing 4 kids. Frankly, it isn’t about the money. Could I make more money elsewhere? Yes. To others, money is their primary (or only) consideration. For me, it’s pretty far down the list. I am chasing lifestyle where I can spend as much time with my family before all my kids grow up and leave the house. I only get one shot to be a husband and a father, and a job is merely a mechanism to maximize my family time. Some don’t agree with that, and that’s their prerogative.
Sounds like an easy choice. I got burned out with DoD work and being a contractor and started the career almost as an empty nester. Maximizing nights at home will always be achieved in a different line of work. Even if you bid reserve to maximize time off at the airline you will randomly miss important events...
This really is a good job but you are gone about 50% of the time even in a best case scenario and it sounds like that is more important than maximum actual DAYS off.