Think of things you can use to your advantage... there's the fact that he can fly anytime anywhere via jumpseat (if he's gonig into the airlines and particular cargo companies), so right there... he has a better advantage of coming to see you vs you him.
then there's ways to stay in touch...monthly weekends where it's "all about the two of you", webcams, txt msging, chatting, unlimited cell phone minutes etc.
at first, the moving thing is really *really* hard, no bones about it...but after a while, you stabilize and make sure you both continue down the right path of constant communication. commuting can be easier than moving but it depends on what company it's with because a lot of companies don't have CASS or great jumpseating agreements and if the base is on east coast and your on west coast, it could cause distance/time zone problems when trying to get to work. If he *has* to move, then that's the way it has to be but he needs to make sure he does as much research as possible on the companies to find out where the low timers typically are getting based and whether commuting is even a possibility.
if he commutes, it may be best for him to find a crashpad.. if he's going to live "at base" for a year or so, then it would be better for him to find a cheapie appt in the ghetto or with other roomates, family members or what not. just remember that even if he does have to move to base, you can still have your once or twice a month weekends (those monthly or more weekends can make all the difference) and it's only temporary...
but make sure you sit down and square out "the rules" of how your going to try and make everything work once he does get the job...that way, you have a guideline of sorts to help you both stick to the process and stay as stable as possible.
Congrats to Jim's interviews.. we'll be thinking bout him! if he needs any assistance from doug, let us know.
