Working Away From Home

[smr913]

I took a job last November with a construction company that requires me to travel for long periods of time. In the 7 months I have been working I have been home maybe 6 weeks. Leaving my wife and daughter at home has been rough and still have not gotten used to it, but it is better money than I could be making at home. I am 26 and we have been married 2 years and my daughter is 20 months old, so I have been on the road a large part of our marriage and child's life. At first, I was a little depressed and gained a decent amount of weight, I was smoking a lot, and drinking too much. Over the last month I have been starting to make some changes to better myself while on the road. I am on my 3rd week of no tobacco (longest time in 10 years of nicotine addiction), have been eating considerably better, and even joined a gym in the town I am living in.

I would love to hear some similar stories from people that work away from home and how they keep themselves busy when they are not on the clock. Right now I work 12 hour days (6am-6pm) Monday-Saturday and live in tiny hotel room.

-This isn't meant as a "woe is me" thread. I know there are people in a lot tougher situations than myself. I am ever grateful of our service men and women who do this sort of thing overseas and in the line of fire. So a big thank you to all of them!

[Raider Nation Fisher]

You'll get used to it. I was gone almost the entire fiest two years of my marriage. Right now I'm working in town. Tomorrow I may be a thousand miles from here. You never know. Like I said though., it gets easier with time. I've been doing it for over six years now. Keep eating right and leave the booze alone and you should be fine. However I've never heard of traveling like that and only working six 12s generally if they are gonna keep you away from home for extended periods its 7 days a week. Then again that's also working shutdowns so it could be different where you are.

Anyway keep a positive attitude and you'll be fine. Anything you need just ask.

[clayton86]

It is tough man I'm deployed right now iv been gone sense late January and as of right now I wont be home till after Christmas. this is the longest iv been away from my wife and boys my youngest Jack will be 1 next week and my oldest turned 3 back in may. Right now is the toughest its been so far the marriage is very rocky right now just from being gone and not being able to call home regularly because of my shifts here and the time difference. I spend a lot of time in the gym to make my free time go by quicker and it gets me tired so I can sleep and not be up missing my wife and sons. Keep your head up how far are you from them can they come see you or you go home on weekends or anything? I did that for a long time when i was on active duty state side for the guard they got me a hotel to sleep in but i still drove the 2 hrs home every night and again in the morning just so i could shower in my own home and sleep next to my wife even if it meant loosing 4hrs + of sleep each night and the gas money. Just keep a positive attitude and youl be fine.

[smr913]

Raider, we will work some sundays but generally it is just the six days. It is because on pipeline jobs we are on the front end and it makes sure we do not get too far ahead of survey and the line locators. Our jobs usually last between 2 and 4 months. I have been here one so far but just got off another that I was on for 2.5 months.

Clayton, Right now i am 8 hours from home so too far to get home for a night. The job I was on before I was 18 hours. I am trying to get them to come down to see me since my wife is on her college summer break and O am right on the beach. I feel for you man. My thoughts are with you.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I dunno if I could go on the road like that for those hours. If I'm not getting a MINIMUM of 84 a week its hard for me to go for extended periods of time. Maybe I'm just a premadonna like that. Anyway. Like I said previously it gets easier with time. You just gotta try not to think about it that much, and enjoy the times you do get to see them. Another thing, never have a fight before getting off the phone with your wife. It can lead to some crappy sleepless nights. Again just keep your head up and keep on trucking.

Clayton, It will all work out in the end homie. You just stay safe and try an keep your mind occupied on other things. Nothing makes for a longer day then longing for that which you can't have, right now. You'll be back before you know it. If there is anything I can do for either of you just hit me up.