Mufaza: I tell anybody who will listen that if you can get a job with a defined benefit (pension) from a government entity that it is worth its weight in gold. This is true for teachers, fireman, town administrators. The pension will be there every month (as long as the government entity doesn't go bankrupt, which is possible but not likely except maybe CA) no matter what. The peace of mind that can bring to your life is almost impossible to overstate. The airline job will always be there, and chances are your lifestyle right now, while your family is young, will be much better than as a junior commuting regional (or major for that matter) airline pilot.

I did 20 years in the military. Sometimes I fly with Captains much younger than me and I wonder if I should have made the jump sooner. Then I think about the looming furloughs and displacements at even the "best" carriers out there (including mine) and I thank my lucky stars that I stuck it out and got the retirement before jumping to the airlines. Having that back up takes a lot of the worry and fear out of the airline world.

I have discovered that flying for the airlines (FedEx) is an ok job. Its probably one of the best flying jobs out there, but it still is only an ok job. There are a lot of downsides to go with the upsides. I don't mind doing it for the 18 years I would have had to age 60. I sure don't want to do it for the 23 years now to age 65. I'd rather have that check coming in every month instead of another 10 years of seniority here any day. You can lose your medical at any time, get displaced or furloughed, but you will still have that check coming every month.

I wish you well in your decisions, keeping in mind that this is probably one of the worst times in modern history to try to get an airline job, but I strongly encourage you to stick it out and nail down that retirement before jumping ship.

Best of luck.