I've made a few transitions in my day...but have failed over and over at my hoped for career of Mega Millions lottery winner.... That said, everybody has to find their own balance. I always wanted to be a pilot- didn't get there- but reading these forums makes me feel better! At one point in my late twenties/early thirties I considered becoming a cop. I had a good friend who was 10 years older, a sergeant, tell.."Don't be an idiot.. I never get to deal with nice people, ever..(think about it- you just deal with criminals and victims- kind of like passengers, maybe?), shift work (pilots have to deal with odd changing hours) and I can't leave my department to move someplace better because I'll lose my pay and seniority (sound familiar?). Those are the down sides- on the upside my very best friend will be able to retire at age 46 with 25 years of service on a good, gauranteed pension and health insuance benefits. He intends to move to the country and relax. In NJ, where I'm originally from (although I took speech therapy so people wouldn't know), senior patrolmen (6-10 years) can easily make $60-$80,000 without overtime and much more if you put the overtime in. But, as has been said before, the job has it's hazards though...