At risk of thread drift talking about this but it's an important subject. Depends how you're wired up amd your perception of being away. I'm away weeks. I find leaving painful but it's great when back. I know people (mentioned the navy) who go away to sea on tankers for months. When they get extended, it's for an extra month! They find it tough. A few days away long haul based out of home country is perfect to me. Keeps the spice of life going and I've done commuting which makes it seem nothing. I found on short haul I was damn ass tired, grouchy, bored of flying and the misses and I took our time together for granted anyway. I actually counted it up and even commuting on long haul I spend more "quality" time with friends and family than when back on short haul and on constant shift work.