I am also finding that i'm away a bit more than before. Granted I don't have a family but I have noticed that i'm having fewer opportunities to see my girlfriend (we don't live together). Any new joiner will have low seniority and as such will probably be away from home more than they are used to at easyJet or other non-nightstopping carriers. The more senior guys tend to hoover up the there and back trips which leaves the junior guys with more tours on their roster. However, with seniority comes choice and most people will tell you that once you are about 30% of the way up the seniority list then you'll generally get most of what you want. 50% up and you'll probably get exactly what you want. Pay your dues now and enjoy your luxurious life-style (yeah right!) later...