atpwannabe,

I just hope you are a financially independent multi millionaire, because if you are not you definitely will be on the fast track to bankruptcy and divorce. At 44 with even the most optimistic hopes you will never recoup your losses as a pilot. It takes most people two years to get through all the training to begin as a CFI then a few more years struggling as in instructor until you will be competitive enough to get on with a commuter. By the time you get there who knows what the environment will be in the industry by then? It is common to have to wait for a few years to get your opportunity for a shot at the regionals. By then you easily could be 50+. Once you get on with a regional you would probably spent 5 years as an FO to finally upgrade in time to get comfortable in the left seat just before retirement. Most of the time you will spend as a CFI and regional FO you will earn less than 30K. You simply do not have enough time to make it to a good enough paying position to compensate you and your family for the sacrifices. Keep aviation as a hobby. Don't mess with your families security at this point. It is no fun to be poor but it especially sucks as an old timer. Keep it as a hobby. Buy yourself a type rating in a 737. Do whatever it takes but do not attempt this as a profession unless you are wealthy and can afford the losses.

SkyHigh