Eventually I want to be a Search and Rescue Pilot. I am willing to go anywhere in the world to get the hours. I do want to have weekends off consistently though (except in the case of an emergency). Does this sound unrealistic?
Yes, completely. IMHO you need a total rethink as to your career aspirations. Emergencies are not 9-5, Monday to Friday, and neither is the helicopter industry.
It's been said many times, but what a great post Hammerhead70