James nowdays most cargo pilots earn the same as a pax flyer, the only diference is the company they work for, if they work for a major that also fly cargo is very good, because you get everything as the pax boys except the schedule is not as good as theirs. Anyway the whole issue is about family (relationship) life, well, I can tell you that it has a lot of variables, for sure you won't be able to program all special times with the family, but you can bid for it (again depends on the company), at the end of the day it is all up to you, there are jobs(non aviatin) that people have to dedicate a lot of time but we as pilots don't know about them, as these same people don't see the demands that our profession requires. You will always wonder what was it all about if you don't became a pilot.(not your girlfriend-wife). Anyway good luck and see you in the flight deck(maybe) some time.............The Capt..