There are many reasons, 14 days off a month and the ability to bid for the days you want every month regardless of your longevity, I've been home every birthday, every Christmas, every date that has been important I've been home since year one on a positive space business class seat while accumulating miles on their rewards program, check in on the ANA suite in Narita with dedicated lines for security and rest at the lounge having a cocktail while the concierge will come and get you after they call for boarding....! I had a family emergency (an operation my wife had to undergo) she called the company and they called me on the SAT phone while I was enroute to Narita, I was on a business class seat ( paid by the company) as soon as I landed on my way home to tend to the situation. I take a month off every year with the way our bid system works and I travel with my family on positive space using my status not caring about the loads, not having to jumpseat...! that alone is a good reason not to seek a job back home because let's face it, that can be a denigrating experience depending on who you get at the gate, I know this will sound strange specially commuting 6,000 miles but my commute is actually a pleasurable experience and I look forward to what the chefs will come up with every time the menu changes, desserts by Pierre Herme, drink selections of a winner of a 5 star rating "cellars in the sky" cognac and bread sticks? If your traveling in coach...! this contract is unique in the sense that we fly with other expats 95% of the time and that is for both seats and I fly about 35-50 hours per month on average, MEL's & CDL's come up twice per year, I've done a cross bleed start once since I've been here, I've never called operations to ask where is the fuel truck, nor catering, nor cleaners, I've never had to wait for marchelers nor I've had to wait more than 10 minutes for hotel transportation ( and that only happens two or three times per year, most of the time they are there waiting for us) I've never had to impose my authority over a dispatcher for more fuel or a different route, let's be honest here, "joint responsibility" has been interpreted by many dispatchers back home as if they are in charge and captain authority is challenged often, even if you only encounter a situation once or twice a year that is way too many, I ask for what I want and there is an army of white helmets and white gloves that get it done, no if's or but's, just about the nicest group of cabin attendants, mechanics and gate agents that you will ever come across, I don't pay for medicals, uniforms, dry cleaning of the uniforms, train fare to and from work, taxi if required, If I want to make a reservation in a hotel in Hokkaido to go skiing on my blank days while on my work roster or a dentist appointment or I want to go see the formula one race when the circuit comes to Japan, or get tickets to the Tokyo auto show, here I email the company...! I know a lot of this things are just little details but it doesn't work for me only because of the right combination of pay and days off, it works for me because they have me spoiled rotten.......! LOL!
