Hello all, I have a very common question, but bear with me.

I'm 40, in the top 1/4 seniority at my regional. I've been with my company for 15 years. 7-8 years ago when I was a new captain I was charging hard to go to mainline. Unfortunately I did have two 121 checkride failures years earlier. I figure that's the only reason I never got a call.

I decided to better myself within my own company. Joined the training dept and I've been a sim instructor for a couple of years. It's a great job. Averaging 19-20 days off a month...lots of family time with my little ones. I'm driving to work and I enjoy teaching much more than line flying. I figure if I stay here for the duration I'll max out at around 160K or so a year before retirement, and I have enough time for a side gig to bring in more money.

Something else to note, my wife is a flight ops assistant for a ACMI cargo carrier where we live, a job she does not want to give up if we needed to move.

If I move on, the only positive I can think of is money. I'd make 2-3 times more at a major over time. But...commuting/moving, crashpads, redeyes, less days off, and being at the bottom of a much longer list. I don't think it's worth it.

The reason I ask is many of us "lost decade" types are getting calls now. Considering all that...if you were in my shoes, would you still try to go to mainline?