Tony Turner makes a living above the clouds.

The 52-year-old has been a pilot for American Airlines for almost 22 years – a career choice that means he spends a large portion of his life away from his family. He said he spends as much time as possible with his wife and two children at their Crystal Lake home before soaring into the air to earn a paycheck.

“It’s hard, but I try to stay as involved as I can,” Turner said. “There are a lot of times when I miss [family] things, but I don’t have a choice. There is always a little guilt in the back of your mind.”