Song dude,

I have a 3 year old and the wife. 10 years, 2 regionals, 1 LCC.

1.) Does your wife currently work? If not, she should. This business is way unpredictable, two different sources of income is the way to go. In addition to helping with first year pay (and 2nd and 3rd at a regional).

2.) When you are home (with this job), you are home. You don't have to worry about work once you leave the airport. In many ways you have lots of quality time at home. You could stay at home, or do whatever else, with your kids at 3-4 days at a time. I personally think getting things done for the wife is important with some of your time off also. And is in your best interest.

3.) What does your wife think about this? Your wife has seen the way that life has been (prior to regional life). If you start this job, most likely she will be comparing your current life with life prior to the way it is now. We have all heard stories about the wife seeing low pay and you gone all the time.

4.) Don't buy too much into this "Pilot Shortage" thing. There is only a shortage of qualified applicants willing to be paid what the regionals are offering. There will never be a "Pilot Shortage" at the Legacy Airline level. CNN might tell you otherwise though.

Good luck man!