Just to jump on the bandwagon, there is almost no way in the world you can come out financially ahead by getting out right now. Approaching my MSR, i've done the math EVERY way possible. It almost doesn't doesn't make sense to leave at 10 years when you run just pure numbers. I haven't run the numbers for 18 years, but I would guess you would probably need to leave and take a job making in the 200,000-300,000 to recoup the financial loss you are going to sustain by not taking that active duty retirement (unless you already have a couple mil in your retirement account). I know you have to be a smart guy to be where you are. I just hope you have done the math. Gosh, I think I would do my last two years in the sandbox if I had to. The airlines aren't hiring right now. Sorry to ramble, but I hope we've given you something to really think about (as if you hadn't already).

I have a buddy that is punching at 15-16 next year that I kick in the nuts every day. He will be DH job complete and likely to make O-5 with 3 of his last 5 years probably in a cushy joint job. He thinks he will make money where some of his buddies are at United. Some guys just won't listen to reason (and aren't very savvy at math).