I used to commute across the US for work. Every Monday morning, I would hop a jet to SanFran (stay at a hotel) and every friday evening, I would hop a flight back. I did that for three years. (Fortunately before 9/11)
We have a friend who is a network TV exec. He was also doing something similar - had family & home in CT, hopped a plane to LAX on Monday mornings and came back to CT on Friday nights, getting back to their home in CT at about 1am on Sat. morning. After about 3 years of this, his wife put the hammer down. As much as they wanted to remain living in CT, it wasn't worth it to have no dad around during the 5 school/work days of the week, and they all ended up moving to CA.
I still do it.
When my house here in Fountain Hills was damaged last fall, I commuted 120 miles one way for several weeks. About 2.3 hours each way. I'd do it, but my wife doesn't like me being gone so long.
Most of my career has been as a road whore of one form or another.
I spent years flying out Monday first flight, back Thursday on the red eye. Often I would see both coasts more than once in a week. My skills were rare and the money was insane.
But my worst was living in North Idaho and working in Tacoma Wa. 355 miles door to door. I drove over Sunday night and back Friday after lunch for 18 months. Driving was timewise more efficient than flying. Again the money was insane and my industry had taken a dive so my skills weren't in such demand I did what I had to to keep my family afloat money wise.
After 18 months I was done. Took a 50% pay cut and now work 33 miles from home. I'm fortunate that I could afford to take the cut (all those years getting insane fundage went to good use). It sure is nice to go home and see the kids,wife,dogs.
The problem is that once you've sold your soul to the road it can be VERY hard to quit. Once a road whore always a road whore. Kids have really tempered my traveling bone, but deep down I miss getting on airplanes and having adventures in new places...aaaaaand getting paid handsomely for my efforts.
Don't miss getting fondled by TSA.
Been there done that got the t-shirt.
I hung up my luggage and settled down.