Sky -

As someone who was born, grew up, went to college, and lived in Seattle for 22 years, I certainly sympathize with your interest in staying in the PNW.

The greatest thing to happen in my life, though, was joining the USAF and being FORCED to leave the Puget Sound area. If that hadn't happened, I seriously never would have left. I loved the place like you do.

The Air Force plunked me down in some areas of the country (and the world) that I never would have otherwise been to. It also allowed me to see what living in those other areas of the country were like.

Guess what -- I realized that although the PNW is a great spot, it's not the end-all, be-all of places to live. Yes, it's beautiful, and all the things I loved about it when I lived there I still love today. But, the fact is that there are some things about that place that really stink in comparison to other places I've lived in the US. Of course, I'd never have known that if I stayed there my whole life and didn't experience the rest of the US (and world).

I may end up back there when my military career is over, but I may not. Like you, I entertain thoughts of working for Alaska someday among the many visions of my future I have.

I guess my point is that it's funny that you're so hard-over-rudder on not leaving the PNW, as that's the one thing that is most significantly holding up your dream of returning to flying professionally.

I used to be that way about the area, too...but today I feel much less ignorant.