Originally Posted by
HangarFlying
This is probably the best advice on this subject. If it is the love of flying that you seek, there is no reason to NOT start learning how to fly. By working on your Private at your local airport, you not only get to fly, but you are also supporting the local economy and the local CFI (where you hope to be at some point). Additionally, the costs are considerably cheaper and you can go at your own pace.
So, you can keep your current job and enjoy the benifits of flight at the same time! And, best of all, your family can be a part of the whole process!
Best of luck to you!
Definitely do this, many folks think they would love to fly, plunk down $100K for a fancy school, get into the regionals and find out they don't really like it that much. Of course at that point they are in too much debt to quit, or are too embarrassed to after being glorified by their friends and family as a god-like airline pilot.
Flight schools in general are notoriously dishonest, and will tell you anything to get you in the door.
In the current environment, keep your job, go get a PPL, and do some fun flying. If you really like it, maybe start on an instrument rating. Keep an eye on the economy and the airline business and plan the best time to make the jump. Barring an economic miracle hiring will be low to zero until late 2012 (age 65). But be sure you really enjoy flying before you do anything drastic.
At your age, hopefully your wife has a good job.