Originally Posted by Paul76086
Have you guys known anyone that has been able to make this sort of career change with similar responsibilities as myself?
Me. I have a wife with a good income and a military reserve career (no work conflicts per federal law).
I spent the last two years at my old job saving up, then spent the first five years of flying with basically no disposable income for myself. My wife was able to cover the bills, and stuff that she wanted. Remodel the kitchen? Yes! New Motorcycle? No!
It has been quit an adventure and now that I get to fly and get paid more than the average american I'm glad I did it. But there were basically seven years when my life was somewhat cramped. I paid for my ratings with savings, so I front-loaded the financial pain.
Also I had at least a one year setback after 9/11.