Originally Posted by busdriver12

When I first read this and saw that you were planning on commuting to a full time airline job AND an 8 day a month Guard job, I thought....what an *********, he will be divorced and an absent father in short order. But it sounds like you are getting and listening to good advice, so hopefully you'll work it out. Being home one week a month will not work for your family.

Originally Posted by rickair7777

Yes. To my knowledge drill days are always exempt, even above above the statutory minimum 48 annual drills. There is a hard cap on the number of drills the mil will let you do in a year (130 IIRC).

I usually do over 100 and it's never been an issue. Legally employers have no visibility on drills anyway, they are only allowed to ask for copies of orders over 30 days (which would never be drills).

Like I said, don't worry about USERRA at this point... there are billions of airline pilots in the guard/reserve and I've never met one who lost his job over it. If it ever does become an issue for you, you'll be a major or LtCol and will have plenty of resources to sort it out when the time comes. There's no way the military can force you do perform duty which would cause you to exceed five years and lose your real job. If it's mandatory, it's exempt.

Originally Posted by SaltyDog

Flyerfanatic,
Some salient point by our peers being posted.

Double commute is bad for you unless your wife has a good boyfriend you like :0
Otherwise, you will likely end up divorced as your never home. Only know a few guys that pulled a double commute and they had exit strategies with a defined timeline to avoid long term separation.
Your squadron deserves 8 days a month IMO. Lots of quals to maintain and obligations they must meet for a combatant command.
Rickair covered your USERRA benefit. I did on average 10 days plus a month in my squadron for 14 years. I always moved to my airline domicile as had more flexibility in running a hectic life. My wife ended up becoming a stay at home CEO to run the enterprise with the kids so I could selfishly fly military and airline. It worked. 30 year military and married 30 years. Enjoy the rides. I miss the mil flying. Thank your wife and kids. They sacrifice much. Have fun, Remember , someone is always disappointed as you serve 3 masters, the military, the airline, the family. You will always be juggling the pain, but achievable as have witnessed many peers do same.
Cheers

Originally Posted by FlyerFanatic

Thank you for the feedback! And I agree I have completely dismissed the idea of double commuting altogether. If I can convince my wife to go part time after we move, my life would be fantastic. And congrats on the 30 year career!

Originally Posted by Airbum

Here's what I did. I lived both in my airline domicile location and at my Guard unit's location. For me, flying cargo and living at my Guard Unit was a better option. I flew week on week off trips at the airline. This allowed me fly usually once a day on my "off" weeks at my unit. 10 days a month with never more then 7 days between sorties. Sometimes working only 4-6 hours the day I flew and then home that night to hang out with the squadron buddies.

To be anywhere near good you will have to fly as often as possible. Showing up for 3-4 days a month and expecting to double or trip turn was a GUARANTEED way end your career at my unit.

Good luck I loved it.

Originally Posted by PRS Guitars

Why do you need to mooch off your parents or in-laws for child care? Don’t be cheap man, pay for day care or have your wife work part time or something. Living near them and double commuting just for free child care is asinine. Without a legacy job, I recommend moving to your Guard town.

I double commuted for 4 years and made it work, my wife worked part time the entire time and we didn’t use my parents or daycare at all. One of us was always home for the kids. Don’t double commute for this.

Sorry for the rant, but I’m just sick of seeing this generation absolutely mooch their parents for child care. A man needs to provide for his family, so do so.

Originally Posted by usmc-sgt

I never wanted the wife to work part time (down from full) until I did. Living in base we have so much more flexibility and ability to earn more by her working less. Night and day it is better with her working less hours. My wife has a great job ($40+/hour) but even at a 12 hour day it is less than half you’d make on a premium pickup. She’s happy, you’re happy, life’s good.

Originally Posted by Airbum

Here's what I did. I lived both in my airline domicile location and at my Guard unit's location. For me, flying cargo and living at my Guard Unit was a better option. I flew week on week off trips at the airline. This allowed me fly usually once a day on my "off" weeks at my unit. 10 days a month with never more then 7 days between sorties. Sometimes working only 4-6 hours the day I flew and then home that night to hang out with the squadron buddies.

To be anywhere near good you will have to fly as often as possible. Showing up for 3-4 days a month and expecting to double or trip turn was a GUARANTEED way end your career at my unit.

Good luck I loved it.

Originally Posted by crewdawg

10 days a month, as a part-timer?!?! That ain't no part time gig! 4-6 days max for this guy...even in a fighter squadron.

But if you have more than 5 years remaining, I would agree with Airbum...live at your guard base. If you have less than 5 years, go with your airline base.

Originally Posted by FlyerFanatic

Thank you guys for the insight! I think after talking to you guys it is a lot more manageable. I think ultimately we will probably live close to the guard base at first and then see which legacy airline I get picked up with and then decide. But I can not thank you guys enough!

Originally Posted by SaltyDog

FF,
I failed to read the ANG part when I originally posted. I was in a reserve Squadron and in the reserves you are not a "lifer" like one can be with the Guard. I knew I would potentially be moved around in the reserves to multiple locations. later I changed every 2-3 years, so living near ANG is good choice as pointed out and you determined.
Very best in your success
SD