CaptainChipotle
The 'us' was a generic reference. I'm fortunate that it's not applicable in my situation as I don't commute. I do, however, agree with you 100% that it was never designed to be a commuting career in EK but that doesn't mean to say that pilots are not going to do so. Unfortunately, several of our colleagues have gone through divorces with ex spouses now 'back home' with the kids. I think it would be unreasonable to expect anyone of us not to want to spend time with their children, hence the desire for some to bid for multiple blocks of days off.
Yes, the vast majority of us joined knowing the gig but for some who's circumstances have changed, their only priority now is seeing their growing children as often as possible. This is perhaps also the reason why some are leaving to return back to lesser paid jobs. The colleague I referred to in my earlier post with 7 days off is in this exact situation. I can't see him lasting more than another few years at most.
Harry