Originally Posted by
deadseal
With retirements coming and almost 2k below me, I'm willing to take that risk for my family life. Again this is just my opinion. Life is like Burger King...have it your way
I don't think there is a universal "right" answer. That said, seems like you made the right one for you and yours.
Personally I feel more like DeltaCat. I was a FAIP 97-2000 and learned all the conventional wisdom as it seemed everyone was punting to the airlines. And I saw how it worked out after 9/11 (long term actually seems like they did fine, but some ugly years there). I've also flown with a huge number of ex-mil guys who didn't stay in guard/res and I've yet to meet one who hasn't expressed some regret. Granted, they were expecting a DL pension, you have no illusions on that score.
It's a tough call, like everyone else you'll know if you were right about the time you turn 65.
Crewdog....sounds like a winning deployment. What were you doing?