Has anyone spent significant time on the road, and do you regret it? I spent much of my pre-pandemic career on the road. Now I’m remote and loving it, but am not happy with my current job/company. I’m thinking about a new opportunity, but it would require Mon - Thurs travel. I’m not sure I can do it again or make this lifestyle work for me. Has anyone done it successfully or do you regret it?

Travel post-pandemic doesn't seem as enjoyable to me as before. Company travel expenses are scrutinized, chasing status and mileage doesn't get you as many perks and it definitely feels like a cattle call to me. Personally, I wouldn't go back. It was fun while it lasted, and maybe I'm older now, but that kind of schedule on a weekly basis feels like it would be a grind. Maybe if it's Mon-Thurs at the same off-site location, where you could have a second apartment and it feels more like a home, perhaps. But living out of a suitcase, I don't think I'd be convinced.

I think it depends on the company and the commute. I once worked for a company that I planned to relocate for (the commute was nearly 2 hours each way). I ended up struggling to find a home nearby and made that commute 4 days a week for 2 years! I can't say I regret it because I loved the company and they paid for my travel expenses, plus I made my commute a way to pause and pray, some days I would listen to podcasts, and other days I worked on my second language. I do not have children and no pets (I'm sure that's a big deciding factor, too).

Spent 20 years doing Mon-Thu travel. Did I get great experience - yes. Was it worth the personal cost (my marriage) - no.

As a junior consultant in the early days, I was pressured to skip important life events because of “client needs”. Didn’t realize at the time, that level of crisis was often manufactured by senior consulting leaders and partners who thought everything was a crisis.

It’s changed a lot since the 90s, hope you all reap the benefits of that!

I did it for a decade 45 weeks a year. I could not go back now. The last year I felt paralyzed on Sunday night at the thought of putting my clothes back in my suitcase.

That said, I always think I can do anything for 18 months. If this was a catalyst for change and I could see an off ramp, I would think about it.

A friend of mine is a traveling mechanic who spends 300+ days out of the year on the road, and about 80% of that time actively traveling. He sees his kids twice a year and spends the rest of his time alone. He gets paid 250k/annually and they cover all expenses so he's not struggling financially, but his whole life is his job, and idk if I could live like that for as long as he has/will.

Absolutely! I used to travel extensively and miss it, terribly. The same four walls (at home or office) start to close in on you. If you pass on that travel job, pass it my way ;)

I think you’re answering your own question ;) Keep searching for either less travel or fully remote. You’re already saying this schedule would make you unhappy. Listen to your gut.

I traveled frequently for most of my career, including several relos to short term assignments globally and 4 years of M-Th travel.

I enjoy it. But I also don’t have a family. I got married and didn’t travel as much. When that started to get shaky I went back on the road and was officially separated within a year.

I used to work on the road and I loved it. I was single then and didn't have a family so it was exciting and I loved every second of being on the road. Now that I have a husband and kids though I wouldn't feel the same about being on the road all the time.