Original Message

If you have kids, shoot for a base with a 0600/1800 shift change. Yes, you'll get there early but you can always take a nap in this job. 1800 allows you to get home for dinner, go to kids' events, watch something as a family, and tuck them in bed. If you get a late flight, your 14 will be at 1930-2000 so you can still get home to see them off to bed. 0800/2000 shift change is the absolute worst if you have a family with kids. Most bases can have separate shift change times from the medcrew, so you may be able to talk the pilots into changing (but if they're old Army guys expect them to be pretty set in their ways; it's not in their blood to accept change).