My hubby works in the spare room, so about as far removed from FIFO as you can get, but quite a few friends have FIFO DHs.

One of their biggest complaints is the number of family/friend functions that are missed as a family. Also now that their kids are getting a bit older dad misses out on school stuff, dance recitals etc. Its also a harder balancing act when one child is sick, mum is sick etc.

On the plus side there are a few of them that while they miss their husbands, they enjoy the time apart and say it keeps their relationships fresh ITMS. The money that most of them seem to get is obviously a pretty big plus too, and some of them view this as a fairly short term thing to get a bit of money behind them.

The Aus $ strength is a bummer for so many people - my DH is paid in US$ so we're seriously feeling the pinch too.