Would you take a job which involves alot of travelling?

[pboyd]

Nail. Head.

[andy-xr]

Been there, done it. Was in a relationship at the time, that fell apart - only so much travel you can do before you're just a voice on the phone. I was in California 3 weeks out of 4. Body didnt know which was was up when back in the UK, barely speaking due to lack of sleep, and stopped being included in friernds social plans as they thought I probably wouldnt be there anyway

Was great for experience, the money was good, but living out of a hotel, an airport and making anywhere your mobile office can only go for so long.

My boss did similar travel, had a 4 year old who barely knew him, who he bought presents for at each airport or journey as a way to overcome his guilt.

I work 3 miles away from my house now and feel much better for it, I get to see my niece growing up, and reconnect with my nephews, sister and parents who I've missed for the last 15 years while working

[GaryST220]

It is much a case of taking the rough with the smooth.

[Kudos]

I've been doing it for 15yrs. When not doing it, me and the missus get bored. I enjoy new sites, experiences and cultures.

I'll only do it now on my terms and working for myself eg earning a bucket load of cash. Don't tart it up any other way, it's a means to an end

[softtop]

post edited since everything I said was bks apparently

Edited by softtop on Saturday 25th May 22:07

[toohuge]

I relocated to the Caribbean about 8 months ago and my wife is in Germany.... Never again, ever.

If you are in a relationship then traveling for work and being away from those that are important is terrible. If I was single then it would be a different story completely.

I am fortunate in that I book my own travel and give myself extra days either side of trips do that I may enjoy the time away a little but the knock on effects mentioned above are definitely not worth it.

Chris

[andy-xr]

Oh, holidays is the other one. Come home for a week after travelling for 3, g/f hasnt been anywhere and wants a holiday. I just wanted to sit in one place for a bit

[Deva Link]

andy-xr said:

Oh, holidays is the other one. Come home for a week after travelling for 3, g/f hasnt been anywhere and wants a holiday. I just wanted to sit in one place for a bit

The dream for us was for my wife to be able to travel with me once the kids could look after themselves. She did it once, and 9/11 happened while we were away and she was due to fly back on her own.

[GaryST220]

andy-xr said:

Oh, holidays is the other one. Come home for a week after travelling for 3, g/f hasnt been anywhere and wants a holiday. I just wanted to sit in one place for a bit

That's another thing. A holiday to me is now somewhere that doesn't involve an airport.

Edited by GaryST220 on Sunday 5th May 21:10

[rhinochopig]

If you've got young kids then I would say no; unless it's a case of no other choice, i.e. you can't pay the mortgage or you'll get sacked.

Otherwise what's the point in having children as you'll be missing out on their formative years. Career opportunities will come and go, but the formative years of your children are once and once only.

Would there be no half-way house option, i.e. away for a couple nights each week?

[pikeyboy]

If i had the choice not travel as part of my job i wouldnt. The novelty soon wears off being alone in a hotel on your own .....

[andy-xr]

...with rubbish TugTV that. Oh...

As you were

[craigjm]

Ive done it but was single at the time and there were times when I was away for weeks on end. I was in my 20s and it was really good fun because it gave me a ready made social life where I was out every night. I eventually got bored of the instability so I stopped doing it and moved on. A colleague of mine was married with two young kids at the time and he ended up missing their birthdays and stuff. He ended up getting divorced and looks back on it and can see that he neglected his wife and kids and missed them growing up. Even though he doesnt do it anymore the repercussions continue as now his kids have moved into similar work and now he wants to spend time with them they dont have the time for him. Hard lesson.

Edited by craigjm on Tuesday 7th May 22:03

[New POD]

extraT said:

Sounds like a nightmare! But weight it up

As far as I can see:

-career development
-opp to travel
-(and I assume great pay)

vs

-Missing kids grow up
-strain on wife
-strain on relationship


Nothing, NOTHING beats watching my family grow up, and NOTHING will beat that for you!

Listen to the man. He's right.

I'm 46, and have 2 kids. One a University, and the other in 6th Form. I am away from 5am Monday to 4pm Friday, every week. But in the UK 2-3 hours from home.

Occassionally my wife really wants it to end, but needs must. Follow the work.

[drivin_me_nuts]

The danger of working abroad/travelling lots is that there is the very real potential for you to end up being disconnected from your family and loved ones. Many of those who do it long term end up hating it and feeling quite sick of travel and all that is entailed with the tedium of planes, trains and automobiles.

When you are away, life will go on without you - and it is YOU that has to make the efforts to recommect at the weekend and stay connected during the week. If you are in any way the homesick sort, then don't do this. Likewise, if you are the sort who goes out drinking and having a laugh by yourself... great on company time and cash, but it can catch up with your life in many different ways.

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Wednesday 8th May 15:54

[craigjm]

drivin_me_nuts said:

The danger of working abroad/travelling lots is that there is the very real potential for you to end up being disconnected from your family and loved ones. Many of those who do it long term end up hating it and feeling quite sick of travel and all that is entailed with the tedium of planes, trains and automobiles.

When you are away, life will go on without you - and it is YOU that has to make the efforts to recommect at the weekend and stay connected during the week. If you are in any way the homesick sort, then don't do this. Likewise, if you are the sort who goes out drinking and having a laugh by yourself... great on company time and cash, but it can catch up with your life in many different ways.

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Wednesday 8th May 15:54

Completely agree

[mike80]

I work away most weekends, mostly UK, but also Europe and worldwide on occasion. I like most aspects of it, although getting up at silly o'clock (and getting home at silly o'clock!) is annoying.

Fortunately I was doing the same when I met my wife, so she is used to the idea. We make the effort to do things together when I am at home, and having a good holiday is important - especially for her! It's easy to forget that when you are away a lot.

Not sure how it will work when we have kids, my boss has two young children and seems to be coping, and he does the same thing.

[jdwoodbury]

It all comes down to managing a balance, I I travel about 1 week in 5 and always long haul. Having a wife and 2yr old makes it difficult at times but I have never been away for more than 10 days and normally 1 week, to compensate I work from home a lot when in the UK so that I can support the wife with the routine....I am lucky my company supports me in this way. Some travel is really interesting others not so much, in a previous role I bounced around Europe mostly on my own and just a couple of days at at time.....I hated it!

My travel is made more palatable in that I usually travel with someone from my team, this makes all the difference having company in the evenings. If I was on my own a lot I think I would have a different opinion.

I would say in your circumstance 4 weeks away with kids at home would be challenging, it has taken a couple of years for my wife to get used to the routine and only new that I make other concessions.

[SteveDyson]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your replies.

I have now got the confirmation from the hiring manager that one project normally last for about 3-6 months and i will have to do approx 3-4 trips to the client site in 3-6 months. Duration of one trip would be approx 4 days. I will be part of EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) team so most of my trips would be in Europe.

I think 3-4 trips not really bad as long as it doesn’t exceed to over 7 days.

[drivin_me_nuts]

SteveDyson said:

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your replies.

I have now got the confirmation from the hiring manager that one project normally last for about 3-6 months and i will have to do approx 3-4 trips to the client site in 3-6 months. Duration of one trip would be approx 4 days. I will be part of EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) team so most of my trips would be in Europe.

I think 3-4 trips not really bad as long as it doesn’t exceed to over 7 days.

Good news .. that's long enough for you to consider it 'holiday'...

One suspects that upon your return you will be on washing up/nappy duty for some days after.

(FYI: don't, when you first go out there, when on the phone home say 'oh it's really nice and everyone is really friendly and we're off to the sports bar later for a drink and a scoff and then maybe a trip to pepperminthamsters for a bit of a giggle. This is not good.

Now remember:

- the food is okay-ish, but i'm missing your cooking.
- I miss you lots and can't wait to come home
- yea, i'm really tired. They work us here and there's lots to do
- no, no one goes out in the evening. Most people just eat in the hotel)

Good luck