Seeing the family while making consulting work work
Nov 10, 2007 | 12:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: DL, CO,US
Posts: 16
Seeing the family while making consulting work work
What is the longest you have been away from home, wife, kids? Do you have a personal maximum? What creative arrangements have you made to see them when there was only enough time to get home for more than a day, do you fly home for a day?
Would you fly crosscountry Friday night if you have to be back on the job Monday at 9 (if company is paying and you get the miles)?
Would you fly crosscountry Friday night if you have to be back on the job Monday at 9 (if company is paying and you get the miles)?
Nov 10, 2007 | 1:18 pm
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2002
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Hmmm good question.
The best answer is - do consulting when you're single & young, or older and an empty nester.
It's hard to make consulting work when you've got young ones at home to raise, hard on you, the kids, and the spouse.
I worked with consultants who left their country (India) to work here in the US. They left their wives / kids behind for months / years at a time.
I could never understand that because if it was me I wouldn't do it.
The best answer is - do consulting when you're single & young, or older and an empty nester.
It's hard to make consulting work when you've got young ones at home to raise, hard on you, the kids, and the spouse.
I worked with consultants who left their country (India) to work here in the US. They left their wives / kids behind for months / years at a time.
I could never understand that because if it was me I wouldn't do it.
Nov 10, 2007 | 6:02 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Three weeks was the longest time away (and that was out of the country).
But unless there was a special reason to be away over a weekend (go-live, prepping for a major Monday meeting), I'm going home on Thursday (or Friday) and flying back on Monday (or Sunday if a special reason).
But unless there was a special reason to be away over a weekend (go-live, prepping for a major Monday meeting), I'm going home on Thursday (or Friday) and flying back on Monday (or Sunday if a special reason).
Nov 10, 2007 | 8:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
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I try to see my wife as much as I should, even though we are already 300 miles apart in the United States. I make it a habit to see her at least once per month, for about a week. Normally I can do this since all I need to work is my notebook and an ethernet connection. All I ever do now is answer emails.
Nov 10, 2007 | 8:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: DL Gold Medallion, UAL Premier Executive
Posts: 31
I have known of fellow consultants with small children who used a webcam to keep in contact with their families while out of town, so that might be an option for you to consider.
As far as flying cross-country on Friday then back on Monday, I had a West Coast engagement that required 3 legs from the client site to my home city. I came home every other weekend on Thursday and went back on Monday. I would only consider making the trip every week if the flights were direct or only required one connection.
I don't have a spouse or small children at home, so my reasons to come home are not as compelling as yours may be.
As far as flying cross-country on Friday then back on Monday, I had a West Coast engagement that required 3 legs from the client site to my home city. I came home every other weekend on Thursday and went back on Monday. I would only consider making the trip every week if the flights were direct or only required one connection.
I don't have a spouse or small children at home, so my reasons to come home are not as compelling as yours may be.