Thanks guys - still looking at options.

Regionals won't pay the bank, I have a wife and two kids and my income is the majority of OUR income.

I could likely take a pay cut to 75k/year and survive (would have to reduce some retirement contributions though), but it'd still be doable with two car payments, a mortgage, and private school....anything under that, and it's totally a goner.

understand the loss in contributions to 401k/TSP being a concern (i'd be concerned too). Compounded interest is awesome, and at this point w/ contributions things will be very nice @ retirement age...

I have friends at FSI and I've heard mixed things. Some hate the constantly changing schedule, some love that they work only a handful and change of days a month. The differences seem to depend on the equipment. At this point, I think i could pick up fairly fast where I left off and be a decent instructor + I feel I could enjoy the work (at least more than the current career). Doesn't mean it's perfect, but better...the current job is mediocre on the side of completely boring but you couldn't find anything more stable, and the benefits are awesome...but when I'm on my deathbed, I'm afraid I'll wish I'd gone for a different line of work, not to define me, but to have been happier for "all those years"...or just risked more unhappiness. LoL. BTW - I'm a genuinely happy fellow.