people who work away
Discussion
TwistingMyMelon said:
Yazar said:
dieseluser07 said:
Does anyone do similar and how do you find it?
When single: Good fun.When in a relationship: Harder but doable.
Wife and kids: Occasional travel including being away is fine, but as a fixed part of the job = no thanks.
Top tip - hotels are crap. It means you packing/unpacking all the time and not having normality e.g. being able to just walk into a kitchen and make something. If you are to work anywhere for a decent period, rent a studio flat/house share etc nearby.
Edited by Yazar on Tuesday 3rd March 12:43
Sounds great.....no its s
t.In your home you have everything you own at your finger tips, living out of a suitcase is not fun. At least with a flat you can have something like a normal life.
I worked away for just over a year, commuting home at weekends and staying in a rented flat Monday-Friday. I'd say it's fine providing a few conditions are met:
1) It's only temporary and not for years on end. Or if the latter then split up with periods at home.
2) You are earning a good above average salary for your profession to make it worthwile.
3) You can afford to stay in somewhere decent during the week, not a skinflint Travelodge filled with the dregs of society.
1) It's only temporary and not for years on end. Or if the latter then split up with periods at home.
2) You are earning a good above average salary for your profession to make it worthwile.
3) You can afford to stay in somewhere decent during the week, not a skinflint Travelodge filled with the dregs of society.
I couldn't work in the same place, day in day out now after 10 years of variety.
It is hard when you have to do a long stint away (currently doing 2 weeks of the coast of Trinidad on a gas platform) but the pros outweigh the cons in my case.
The biggest problem is my wife works full time so it is hard on her when I am always so when I home, I make sure I more than pull my weight with housework, cooking and ferrying the kids around.
Steve
It is hard when you have to do a long stint away (currently doing 2 weeks of the coast of Trinidad on a gas platform) but the pros outweigh the cons in my case.
The biggest problem is my wife works full time so it is hard on her when I am always so when I home, I make sure I more than pull my weight with housework, cooking and ferrying the kids around.
Steve
Olivera said:
I worked away for just over a year, commuting home at weekends and staying in a rented flat Monday-Friday. I'd say it's fine providing a few conditions are met:
1) It's only temporary and not for years on end. Or if the latter then split up with periods at home.
2) You are earning a good above average salary for your profession to make it worthwile.
3) You can afford to stay in somewhere decent during the week, not a skinflint Travelodge filled with the dregs of society.
I was thinking of doing it for 2 years possibly a bit longer depending job availability.1) It's only temporary and not for years on end. Or if the latter then split up with periods at home.
2) You are earning a good above average salary for your profession to make it worthwile.
3) You can afford to stay in somewhere decent during the week, not a skinflint Travelodge filled with the dregs of society.
It would pay me a good wage for my profession
As said i would have to stay in hotels 2 nights a week on average with 2 days of long commuting aswell but 4 days off
I work in London Monday to Friday. I travel down on Sunday. I've been doing it 5 years now and its hard. I missed my daughter growing up 10-15 and my son 15-20.
There is also a whole raft of other consideration that you never think of. You healthcare seeing doctors of having hospital tests, dentist, NHS doesn't do living away from home. Parents evening, concerts, football games etc
Things like simple DIY - you are not there to fix things or investigate why something is not working.
Time as a family (when you are together) gets put aside cos you end up doing things you need to do rather than want to do.
It can work - but its hard.
There is also a whole raft of other consideration that you never think of. You healthcare seeing doctors of having hospital tests, dentist, NHS doesn't do living away from home. Parents evening, concerts, football games etc
Things like simple DIY - you are not there to fix things or investigate why something is not working.
Time as a family (when you are together) gets put aside cos you end up doing things you need to do rather than want to do.
It can work - but its hard.
I tend to spend 1 or 2 nights a week in a hotel. Some weeks more, some less. Depends where in the country I need to be that day/the next day. If I have a meeting more than a couple of hours away and the next day I'm further away or in a similar area then I'll stay in a hotel.
OH is at home with the dog to keep her company.
I don't really mind it, I like to sit in the bar with my laptop and have a sandwich and a pint before going back to my room, getting up in the morning, having a full english and not having to make the bed.
OH is at home with the dog to keep her company.
I don't really mind it, I like to sit in the bar with my laptop and have a sandwich and a pint before going back to my room, getting up in the morning, having a full english and not having to make the bed.
AB said:
I tend to spend 1 or 2 nights a week in a hotel. Some weeks more, some less. Depends where in the country I need to be that day/the next day. If I have a meeting more than a couple of hours away and the next day I'm further away or in a similar area then I'll stay in a hotel.
OH is at home with the dog to keep her company.
I don't really mind it, I like to sit in the bar with my laptop and have a sandwich and a pint before going back to my room, getting up in the morning, having a full english and not having to make the bed.
This sounds very similar to what i would do 1-3 times staying over, long commutes on the days i dont stay overOH is at home with the dog to keep her company.
I don't really mind it, I like to sit in the bar with my laptop and have a sandwich and a pint before going back to my room, getting up in the morning, having a full english and not having to make the bed.
miroku said:
Did this for 20 years. The only good bit about it was coming home.
Missed my kids growing up. The money was good but, you tend to spend to compensate.
If you can work it into family life then great. If not then think hard.
Some guys I know love it but, not for me any more.
Jeez thats a long time to do that for, how many days a week did you do?Missed my kids growing up. The money was good but, you tend to spend to compensate.
If you can work it into family life then great. If not then think hard.
Some guys I know love it but, not for me any more.
I've done it on and off for years. As an example, I'm currently in San Francisco and will be here for the rest of the week. Was here two weeks ago and will be in Washington in two weeks time.
When I was young it was brilliant as basically someone else paid for me to see the world. Now .... it is difficult with family commitments. The only saving grace for me is that I work at home when I'm not travelling.
When I was young it was brilliant as basically someone else paid for me to see the world. Now .... it is difficult with family commitments. The only saving grace for me is that I work at home when I'm not travelling.
I have worked offshore around the world for 5 years now.
I came back into the office for a placement in the UK for 1yr and I struggled. Just not used to the time at home and commuting to work.
Im getting married this year and its true that you will work harder at relationships. The otherhalf enjoys my time at home but also enjoys her own time when im away.
Only downfall is that i could be home for 3 days or 3 weeks. No set Rota.
I came back into the office for a placement in the UK for 1yr and I struggled. Just not used to the time at home and commuting to work.
Im getting married this year and its true that you will work harder at relationships. The otherhalf enjoys my time at home but also enjoys her own time when im away.
Only downfall is that i could be home for 3 days or 3 weeks. No set Rota.
I used to travel periodically in the UK and abroad with work. Some observations from me:
- Avoid travelling on sunday evenings as much as possible, it halves your weekend.
- Avoid getting back late on friday nights (combined with above is a killer).
- Restaurant / gastro pub food becomes the norm. Not good for the waistline or having a nice meal out when at home.
- I never liked to do more than 2 days away at any one time if at all possible. Unless a big trip, of course you might not have the choice.
- Make sure you are well paid for what you do, and your companies expenses policy is also generous.
- See as much of the locality as you can, all hotels / taxis / airports blend into one in the end.
- Avoid bad habits like snacking at petrol stations / motorway service stations purely out of boredom.
- When flying, try to work as much as possible during the travel time if your work allows for it. I found that saving emails / calls for when I got home or to the hotel meant it ate into even more of my off time.
- Avoid travelling on sunday evenings as much as possible, it halves your weekend.
- Avoid getting back late on friday nights (combined with above is a killer).
- Restaurant / gastro pub food becomes the norm. Not good for the waistline or having a nice meal out when at home.
- I never liked to do more than 2 days away at any one time if at all possible. Unless a big trip, of course you might not have the choice.
- Make sure you are well paid for what you do, and your companies expenses policy is also generous.
- See as much of the locality as you can, all hotels / taxis / airports blend into one in the end.
- Avoid bad habits like snacking at petrol stations / motorway service stations purely out of boredom.
- When flying, try to work as much as possible during the travel time if your work allows for it. I found that saving emails / calls for when I got home or to the hotel meant it ate into even more of my off time.
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