Thanks to everybody for their insights. I really appreciate the objective opinions and the facts. I grew up in a military family so I know firsthand how it can be to have my dad gone all the time, however I don't remember missing him as much as I remember the good times. I am also surrounded by extended family, all within 20 minutes of the house which is something I grew up without, so although commuting would be stressful, I feel like I could make it work with help from the family.

I don't think an aviation career will be my missing piece of life's puzzle, as most jobs turn into a rote ritual after time, but one of the most attractive elements of flying for an airline besides flying large aircraft is that you can leave the work at work. This is not the case with my current job and it only gets worse with seniority. The part that kills me is that I am completely apathetic towards the work and yet I bring it home with me every day and night. It's also a highly stressful job where the stress can last for months on end, especially when we have product issues that cause problems for our customers. That's also part of the reason I love to fly as it's an outlet and a chance to unwind.

I am going to keep on working towards my ratings while working at my current job. In the meantime, I'll share your words with my wife so we can make an informed decision. I will let you know how it goes.