Why isn't your wife working on your days off? Yeah, it sucks to be apart, but there are no 'weirdos' watching your kids (except maybe you- don't know ya My wife and I do this, and it is very nice not to use sitters/daycare AND we each get to spend lots of time with the kids. I am glad I wasn't gone picking up extra flying while my little ones were growing so quickly! And yes, we even did it while they were babies. If nothing else, it WILL give you an appreciation for how hard stay-at-home parents actually work! A day at home with 2 under 5 feels like a 14hr duty, eight-leg day at work. But at least on those days at home you're helping your kids grow, instead of helping a CEO buy a mini-sub for his yacht!

BTW, if your wife starts providing daycare, doesn't she instantly become a 'weirdo watching somebody else's kids?'

 

Yea, I knew that wierdo statement would somehow bite me in the butt!! We have thought about her working on my days off. Great idea! We are just toiling with the idea of moving to my domicile, or staying put and commuting. I wouldm't mind moving as the domicile I would be assigned is a nice place to live, so I dont know what would be available there. Im sure something though.
As it stands, I haven't even been called for an interview, I am just getting my "ducks in a row" so when it happens, I will be ready to go. I also have some time to save up.

 

Coming to the party late BUT IF POSSIBLE when you get hired, move to your domicile. It will reduce the stress on you and your family and cut down on lost time trying to get to work and home from work. As a single guy, a commute is not the same but for a family.. wife and kids.. don't do it to yourself or your family. That time lost will not be recovered.

Once in the domicile, get some form of automatic deduction into an investment vehicle so the money doesn't come into the home. Most of the time when the coins are there.. they get spent.

Don't get caught up chasing time from one base to another. Fly the equipment you can be most senior on and stay there until there is a real need, not a want, for you to trade seniority and time for $$$. You can always find more money. Time spent is time gone.

From one who has seen both sides...

 

Firedup, Get the book from Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover. He hates debt , if you borrow on your house then get furloughed what will you do then,if this is not the house you want to stay in think about renting for a year , you said you might want to live in base.

P.S. Never take financial advise from pilots.

ACE

 

If I get the job, I would move and sell my house. I think its a good idea to rent for a while until I see how things are going. I will read the book. Thanks

 

And might I add . . . get the book from the public library.

They have everything, including high-speed internet access in most places. It's not a bad place to hang out anyway. Bring the kids on "story day" and it's cheap entertainment for the both of you.

 

Precisely.

 

Hummmm why didn't I think of that??? Very good idea!

 

On a 3 day trip, you'll eat dinner then breakfast headed east. Take a nap over lunch, because you are still full from dinner and breakfast. The capt will buy the first round then off to dinner. You'll drop about double what you'd spend on an meal in the US, but it's the only meal you'll buy all trip. Take a package of instant oatmeal for breakfast. Have two more meals headed west. The 48-72 hour layovers will cost you more, but it's still not bad if you take a little food along for breakfast and lunch in your room.

 

bringing some food along is key. food is about double and beers are about $10 but if the captain is picking up the first round that'll help you.