After leaving my seat as a regional FO, I explored other careers both in aviation and otherwise. At the same time, I've been working on my MBA at a local university. (Graduating in six weeks!) I recently started working in finance for Boeing, and am enjoying it quite thoroughly. However, I often miss many things about being an airline pilot and have considered going back several times over the last few years.

With any luck you have some other interests, skills, or training that you can use as a "leaping-off" platform from which to pivot your career.