Good topic with some very accurate insights. I retired from a AF fighter career and have since retired at 60 from a legacy carrier. I can only add a couple of thoughts.

First and foremost, a person has to ask himself what really makes him tick? What is it that he really wants to do? Where are his priorities?

Obviously, there are many answers to these questions...probably one for each of us...so coming up with just one pat answer to your question is difficult.

I found airline life to be dull and and to a certain extent, unrewarding. Upgrading to Captain helped, but it still wasn't quite the same. I enjoyed the challenge of the AF...the competition. There is no competition in an airline cockpit, so if that aspect of a job is important, then a person ought to think twice.

While in the AF, I thought the airline business was much like driving a bus. In a sense it is. There are very few opportunities for individualism in the airlines, and so if this is part of your personality, then again think twice.

Also, as another poster so accurately put it, don't expect the civilian aviation world to be managed better than the military. To the contrary, it is even more of a mess...and to make matters worse, unlike the military, there is little accountability. If someone has ever considered military HHQ to be unconcerned or out of touch with what's happening 'in the trenches', then stand by for a laugh when you see how a major corporation acts!!

Another aspect that might be of interest to spouses is that the sense of tight community which many of us enjoyed in the military is somewhat absent in the airline business. Your choice of home location will become an issue. It's a lucky airline pilot who likes living where he is domiciled (and whose family feels the same way). You will hear much about commuting...a large percentage of airline pilots do. I did as well for a while. Few of us liked it, and for some it can become a major negative in life.

Spouses therefore should be prepared for a number of changes. For the first years, you'll see a significant cut in pay. If the spouse doesn't work outside the home, this can be a real eye-opener. With the absence of the military 'family', some may find a real sense of being alone...and with hubby being gone about 15 days a month, this isn't something to be marginalized. After I retired from the AF, I figured I saw about 50% of my son's growing up years.

For certain, once a pilot gains a little seniority, he can often work his monthly schedule to be home when those important dates come along...but be prepared to enjoy a few Xmas mornings in some layover hotel!! And here's the dig! Every time a pilot either upgrades to a new aircraft or changes his seat position, he often takes a big hit in relative seniority! That's why it's not unusual to see some folks turning down bids in order to retain seniority and thereby keep their ability to shape the quality of life.

That's the magic word...'quality of life'. Professionally or personally, that's where the decision should be made. Don't just look at the money...for one thing, the glory days are dead and gone and not likely to rebound anytime soon. Figure out what's really important...and then go that way.

Good luck!