No regrets
Hey Boxed - I took an ATC job back in the day when you needed knee pads to get a job towing banners. Never quit flying, bought an old Arrow and enjoyed it a few years (it did kinda break the bank, and the end result was I flew a few hundred hours at the same cost as renting without ever having to sked or adjust the seat). Did some instructing and 135 part-time. Part-time 135 came to me because I wasn't a transient kid and built a network. Of course with the current talent shortage it should be easy to find. Anyway, decided to retire at 49, flew floats seasonally 5 years in Alaska, been flying 4 years seasonally in the 1900. No regrets indeed, I take half the year off and fly my Libelle at contests. Stay healthy and have a second career in aviation! Too bad the FERS supplement gets earnings tested.