Take a demotion to get off the road?

[Grinnan Barrett]

Over the last few months I have been faced with the fact that I am on the road all the time. The only way off the road like that is to take a demotion and go back to doing the job near my home. When things do get bad at least I can be there for my family. I was wondering how many of the folks here are faced with a similar situation. How did you deal with it or do you plan on dealing with it? Was anyone here on the road the morning 9-11 hit?

[SCinPNW]

Hey GB, I wanted to answer your thread rather than be a looky loo. We (Mr. SC and myself) are not in your same situaiton but here is what we would do. Get everything down on paper, i.e., numbers (salary, bills, future money needs, etc.), pros, cons, worst case scenarios, etc. Then see if it makes sense right now. If not, then develop a plan B for you and your family as to what you would do if you were on the road and x, y, z happened--this is assuming you have not already done this and my guess is that you have. Plan A is the steps you need to take in order to get into a job that does not require you to travel all of the time. Can you find a job at another company that does not require constant travel and a reduction in salary and position, if not, can you go back to school so that you can move into a different industry.

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head, nothing original by any means.

Cheers,
SC

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Since when did being home become a demotion? I left the Army after 11 years when my daughter was born I deployed at the ripe age of 1 week and the next time I saw her she was walking. You can't get that back. I miss the Army and finished the 20 in the Guard aand make less but feel better about myself as a husband and father. it's a tough call for sure, it does take money to live

[610Alpha]

When you say on the road, are we talking out of state A LOT and only home on weekends? Please clarify.

I drive 40 miles 1 way everyday....as the crow flies its probably 2/3 that...so if TSHTF I can at least hump it back in a couple of days.

[CLT46910]

I have turned down a lot of really good employment offers both overseas and in the western states. To take them would separate me from my daughter for long periods of time. I stayed here in Indiana making a lot less money so that I could watch her grow up.

Now at 14 she drives me up the wall at times...LOL, but I would never change one decision I made back then to watch her grow and be in her life.

[heyman]

I am in the same mindset I run 60 miles on way to work and prob not much less as the crow flies. My wife and I sat down with the almighty pen and paper and laid it all out; mortgage, fuel, food, utilities, extras, and whatever else we spend that is usually not budgeted in. Financialy I must stay where I'm at for the time being it has become more of a priority to plan for taking the cut. Hope that helps

[Grinnan Barrett]

To answer your questions briefly, I have already taken the route to get off the road. I was traveling not only out of state but I had to keep my passport with me at all times. I would be gone 5 days or more and maybe home on weekends. I had to fly so no preps go with me other than BARE Minimums. I couldn't even have a small Swiss Army Knife with me to carry on board. I had not applied for the position I was in. The company simply put me in it when everyone else failed to do the job. Like most of us i need to work in order to feed my family. I have all my bills paid off. MY house is paid for, no credit card debt, Just what we spend each month. We don't even have cable. Money is not an issue. The funny thing is I took this job to get off the road several years ago. It is like you get punished for doing a good job. they put you over a bunch of people and you are right back in the grind you had left ten years ago. I appreciate all you guys and wish you the best. the question really came up for two reasons. Most of my friends are now over 60 and several are faced with going over seas just to make ends meet. One is going with a major security contractor in the sand box. I had gotten the hint that I was about to go overseas a lot more than I wanted to. As they say I am too old for this stuff.

[610Alpha]

certainly can understand where you are coming from....my dad who is 64 is working out of FL...his house is in MO....he is working on a project in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I now a retired SWAT guy who is in Afghanistan doing security work but is making major $$$$$$$ well over 6 figures....

Since you are in good financial shape I would bail on that job and go home!! You have definitely earned it....

[Grinnan Barrett]

Thanks for the support all or you. You know it is weird being a forum with sane people for a change. It is a nice kind of weird. I was just about to post a question for my youngest kid. She is a tough one.