Anybody ever made a life of being on the road?

[njcapt]

I've lived a modified version of your "life on the road" vision. When I was 45 and my wife was 39 we had achieved our goal of financial freedom-- we didn't have to work for a living anymore. No kids to worry about, so we sold everything we owned (a house w/hangar, two cars, our Beechcraft Bonanza, etc.). We bought a bus-type RV and wandered the USA for the next few years, totally free of any obligations whatsoever.

I need to watch Lost In America again.

Number seven, number seven...

 

[Twotter76]

OK I gotta chime in in this. Mar I have been doing exactly what you describe for the better part of the last 4 years and I have no regrets whatsoever. Yes I have an apartment and a car and what not but I spend hardly any time there. For several years all I had was a bunk in a crashpad. I am always off to see somewhere new or hang out with my friends in other states. I just came back from 5 days in Hawaii because it seemed like a good idea at the time. I get to see my friends regularly to say nothing of all kinds of new and interesting places. Do I miss having a home? I really can't say that I do. Is this lifestyle for everyone? Definitely not. It is almost a requirement that you are single or at least have a travel partner that has the same bennies that you do. And you have to be willing to spend alot of your time around or on airplanes. But to me the rewards far outweigh the inconviences.

As I type this I am taking a new job and losing my jumpseat bennies I am forced to abandon this lifestyle that I enjoy so much - it is probably my greatest regret in what in otherwise a fantastic opportunity for me. And to answer your last question I don't think it is symptomatic of anything other than a strong desire to see what else is over that next hill.

 

[Flechas]

Great post Mar!!

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I lived inmy car for a few months when I was first a CFI, everything I owned at the time fit in my car and I had a P.O.Box, and I would spend the night at some friend's living room.

This post made me think because I've been looking into buying my own place (I rent now), but I'm not very sure or excited about it (especially in Houston). Sometimes I think about just buying a sailboat and live in it (There are marinas where a lot of peoplelive in their boats).

If you don't have a stron desire to have a wife, kids, and a dog, give it a try. People who do this see and live things that the average 9-5 Joe will never experience. I'msure there's a lot of loneliness involved, but that comeswith being a pilot too, so it won't be a shock. Go for it man, I think I will.

 

[Skyline]

Life on the road

Mar,

I spent most of 7 years on the road. Most of that time my home consisted of a cot, bike, sleeping bag, small TV/VCR and an old laptop computer. I worked a variety of jobs or was in search of a better one. Though I was able to see a lot of North America It was a lonely time and aimless living cheats you out of important things that I think shouldn't be over looked.

SkyLine

 

[johnpeace]

Can I do this for another 20 years? I dunno. That's what I'm asking. What have I overlooked?

Why does it have to be viable for 20 years?

It sounds like you're already doing it...ride it and see how it goes. At the very least, it'll add perspective and dimension to the whole rest of your life, no matter how set it up for the future.

You should write a blog or something, it's too unique and fascinating a lifestyle not to document and share.

 

[ackattacker]

mar,

this is an excellent post which I think resonates with many pilots, myself included. I used to think quite a bit about the same sort of thing. Ultimately I've decided that a true "life on road" is not for me, nor is it for most people. I think that it can be made to work, but you need to take a brutally honest look at yourself first. Is it truly about doing what you want, or is it about escape? Ultimately we are social creatures. And drinking wine in Paris is much more fun when shared with an old friend or special someone. Can you keep the important relationships in your life alive and well while living on the road? Do you make deep friendships quickly? Do you keep in touch? If you cannot keep the important people in your life, then it will be very very lonely. Perhaps you are in the very rare minority and can meet someone who would be willing and able to share your nomad lifestyle.

Most people are not programmed to work this way. We feel more comfortable in a community where we can have a social life without forcing it. Where we can know the names of people we happen to run into. Go to the same church, or club, or local bar. Where we can let lifelong friendships and romantic relationships grow from a foundation of shared experience. If that sort of living doesn't appeal to you, then maybe a life on the road would be better. But again take a hard look at yourself. If it's "running away", if you are depressed or suffering from a social anxiety disorder, if your current relationships are dysfunctional, then things are not going to be better on the road, they'll be worse.

It sounds romantic to be a "rolling stone". But then again it sounds romantic to have the blues.

 

[MTpilot]

you should fly a tanker!

Mar, I lived three years without a home, and it's fun for a while but it will start to wear on ya.Try it out, you can always make a home someplace, and unless your whole family has been killed off you will always have a home of sorts. See ya on the road!

 

[mar]

I already checked that box, my friend

MTpilot I used to fly around in a DC6 with 5000 gals of kerosene in the back.

And I never spilled a drop (yeah right).

Thanks to everyone for their *very* insightful replies. I even got a few PMs and all of it has given me quite a bit to think about.

As someone pointed out, I basically live on the road right now. But I suppose I never fully realized it because (internally) I keep defaulting into the Home Owner, Married With Kids, Dad grove.

I guess a few things served as catalyst for this topic.

1) I'll be 38 next year. In other words, 40 soon, and just now thinking about retirement having almost recovered from financial ruin that started when I got out of college.

2) I have been searching for a house (with not much luck).

3) The Road has taken its toll but like an addict I suppose I willingly pay the toll, as someone else said, to see what's over the next hill.

In sum, I guess I'd have to say, Life is about opportunity and right now I have a great opportunity so I might as well exploit it for everything it's worth.

On the other hand, nothing is forever. Change is inevitable.

And I think I've used all of my cliche's for the day, so I'm gonna check out the other forums and then go take a walk.

See you later.