Working away..

[expat]

Did a 2 year gig 200miles away. After 6 months alone in a B&B, the wife (who wasn't working at the time) agreed to come live darn sarf with me.

Depends on your circumstances, but if you're in a position to take them with you then why not?

If he's asking about kids then I think I could qualify that one.

[PRC1964]

No I mean pay for the car? With me it's already farcical, if I take public transport to Heathrow (from Bedfordshire) then the most expensive part of the whole journey is the train into London. If I drive, the most expensive part of the journey is the parking at Heathrow. The last thing I need is more expense on the UK land part of the journey; but it is a pain because it's a couple of hours time more or less wasted.

http://www.parkatmyhouse.com/uk/park...throw-airport/

Has deals like this:
Heathrow Airport, Staines, TW19

This owner has a reliability rating of 100%
Airport parking for Heathrow FREE transport to/from Terminals 1-5. Easy to find, 200 yds from M25-J14. £49.00-1 week, £60.00-2 [more] weeks. Additional weeks £5.00 per week. 4 spaces avaliable. House occupied 24/7 and now cctv 24hrs.
Private Driveway, 4 spaces - 24/7 Access, CCTV Cameras
0.98 miles from Heathrow, Greater London, UK

[Chugnut]

Interesting timing this thread as I've possibly just boomed contract wise but worried about doomed marriage wise.

Wife and two small kids and current contract very close to home so seeing lots of the kids, home for bedtimes every day etc.

Possibly about to be handed a dream contract by the same company after this one finishes but not at this site (probably Edinburgh or London) so wondering what to do. I'm not going to put money and career in front of family but likewise it would be stupid to not consider it. Plus being handed a contract at most probably a better rate than I'm on is not to be sniffed at.

Any advice from the married with kids brigade? Preferably ones that aren't now divorced

Definitely a tricky one especially given the current climate. It's obviously all down to your own circumstances too, but do not underestimate the effect it can have on your relationship. As the children are young it's going to be hard work for your missus with you away, and a guilt trip for you when she tells you all about it on the phone each evening.

How long will the dream gig be? I was away for 2 and a half years and we didn't have kids. Now, I wouldn't do it again unless I absolutely *had* to. You won't get the moments you miss with your family back, and in the scheme of things it's only a contract.

[expat]

Now, I wouldn't do it again unless I absolutely *had* to. You won't get the moments you miss with your family back, and in the scheme of things it's only a contract.

Depends whether you can get work near home. I can't get in the UK anything like the rate I make on the mainland, if anything at all, so I'm stuck until I retire or am ready for a 60% pay cut.

But the OP may be looking at a contract of limited duration, that would then lead to availability of much more desirable contracts nearer home. That could be worth it too.

[Fred Bloggs]

When the kids were younger I had to work away to earn the money that the missus wasn't earning because she wanted to be at home with the kids. The choice was either- 50% cut in household income and me working locally OR Maintain income (by me doubling my pay) for the household by working away Mon > Fri. It was a tough choice to make, I'm not sure it was right or wrong. We did have lots of great long haul holidays with the kids and loads of other things due to me working away. We'd never have had anything if I hadn't have done so. Personal choice at the end of the day.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Anyway, Terminal 5 means BA, and BA's flights to Frankfurt are more limited, and they don't have any when I want them. So I think I'm stuck in the no-Heathrow club.

Wot - BA have loads of flights from Heathrow to Frankfurt as to Lufthansa, or does Birmingham have more?

anyway, unless you live near T5 you are probably better off in Birmingham, its not just the terminals at Heathrow its the bloody long taxi to/from the runway, mind you the time from landing to the date (or bus) at Frankfurt is even worse.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Got any stats for the size of that group?

Need a poll to find out - I'm in that category - its hard but for me tamed by the fact that I work about 67% from home and 33% in Germany.

[chris79]

Definitely a tricky one especially given the current climate. It's obviously all down to your own circumstances too, but do not underestimate the effect it can have on your relationship. As the children are young it's going to be hard work for your missus with you away, and a guilt trip for you when she tells you all about it on the phone each evening.

How long will the dream gig be? I was away for 2 and a half years and we didn't have kids. Now, I wouldn't do it again unless I absolutely *had* to. You won't get the moments you miss with your family back, and in the scheme of things it's only a contract.

Thanks, you've just convinced me that I can't and won't work away from home. I'd rather be paid far less and live a low standard of living (for now) than miss my wife and kids. Cheers.

[expat]

Wot - BA have loads of flights from Heathrow to Frankfurt as to Lufthansa, or does Birmingham have more?

anyway, unless you live near T5 you are probably better off in Birmingham, its not just the terminals at Heathrow its the bloody long taxi to/from the runway, mind you the time from landing to the date (or bus) at Frankfurt is even worse.

No, what I mean is:

Stuck between the needs for time at home and time at work, my ideal time to get a flight out is strictly between 9 and 10, and a flight back between 4 and 5 pm. From Heathrow to Frankfurt, LH have 1 each way, BA have none; if I stretch it half an hour on either side, then LH have 2, BA still have none in my window. Therefore I fly Lufthansa. Therefore if I go to Heathrow, I do not get to fly from T5.

So yes, Birmingham is my choice. But it does get costly, if booked within a month of flight.

Would also like to eliminate Frankfurt, so much so that I have actually tried Frankfurt-Hahn, Dortmund, Zweibruecken, and Karlsruhe. All are frankly ridiculous for this journey, but at least I tried.

Last week I arrived in Frankfurt a/M International at an "air bridge" and walked straight into the terminal. Surely some mistake, I bet they fix that next week.

[London75]

Thanks, you've just convinced me that I can't and won't work away from home. I'd rather be paid far less and live a low standard of living (for now) than miss my wife and kids. Cheers.

What about 2 or three nights away? I'm hoping that I'll be able to do the outward journey Monday AM, returning Wednesday PM and either work in this building the last two days or here one day, another site the 5th day.

Or maybe even the odd day at home. Spoke to the wife last night and she thinks 6 months of 4 nights a week could be dealt with, longer would have to be fewer nights or consider coming with.

Although we've got kids they're both technically pre-school although eldest has just started at school in kindergarten and wife doesn't work and not particularly bothered about socialising so a move is not out of the question or unwelcome for that matter as I'm a bit sick of Manchester at the mo'