Originally Posted by
Tater023
..at 42 I'm not sure I have the stamina for that type of career progression
Just so you know, I'm more than a few years older than you. I'm a mid-life career changer who, like you, wanted to fly. So I did. I got my PPL at 17 yrs old, but had a career in construction. My only commercial pilot experience was as a CFI, but I had nearly 2000 hrs. So I started sending resumes and got picked up by a now-defunct 135 in AK. But that one summer in AK made me hireable for many other 135 jobs in AK and the L48. I've flown part 135 both places.
As for the money, although I only work summers in AK, on an annualized basis, I earn about $100k yr. So the money is there too, especially if you want to fly through the winter. I'm fine being a seasonal pilot in AK and doing CFI work in SoCal in the winter.
So if you want it, get the ratings and 500 hrs. There are VFR jobs available in AK at that experience level. Hope this helps. Good luck what ever you decide.