Hardest Career move of my life....
 

So my current flying job does not match up with my long term career goals and for multiple other reasons I am very un-happy here. I have made the decision to leave. I have since been offered TWO opportunities. One of them is a much better opportunity for me. I can live where I want and pays more than the other and will take me to where I want to end up quicker. Problem is they need me to start in 3 weeks. I am currently operating as a single crew and my company will likely have to ground the plane for a little until they can find another first officer and send him through training (which sounds like classes might be back up for a bit). The other job while not bad will require me to live somewhere I still like but is much much more expensive and pays less. It will also likely take me longer to get where I want to be in the end. However they will let me start when Im ready. I obviously would like to take job number one but it will put my current employer in much more difficult situation. They are great people and a great company. They do have 4 other planes (just different types). My last intention is to screw over my company but at the end of the day I feel like I have to do whats best for me and my personal happiness. Thoughts?

Don’t make a mistake
 

Take the job you want. Your company will hire a contract pilot to cover your flying if they need it done badly enough. In the business world it is common to request 2 weeks notice, but even that is a courtesy. If you feel guilty, ask yourself how much notice the company would give you if they decided to sell the jet and fire you. There is your answer.

Exactly. Take the job with a better location and better pay. I'm sure they're a great company, but most companies won't hesitate to let someone go if they find themselves in a precarious position. And if they are so great they'd understand your position and your needs, right? And if they don't, then...

Take the job and leave.
You don’t like your current position and unless they’ve been really really good or lenient with you, their training issues are not your problem.
Be nice and courteous about it.
You’ll never go back there but it’s the right thing to do.
So why are you calling it the hardest move of your life?
There will be more and harder ones.

Clickbait ;) but no actually this has been the hardest career decision for me so far. I never want to screw a company over and I feel like me leaving will definitely put them in a tight spot for a bit. Its a part 135 company so I don't think they can just hire a contract pilot for a bit. Seems like everyone is saying do whats best for me though.

Sounds like a lot of not your problem... take your first choice job for you long term as your current company would likely lay you off in a heartbeat if it was better for them.

Over the years i used to think there was loyalty in employment, but there really isn't. You could be a loyal employee for years or whatever and feel like you have a place at that company indefinitely. And then overnight things change and that employer can show you the door with no warning. So its a two way street in my opinion. You need to worry about YOU and YOUR career. YOU advance yourself. Handle it professionally and don't burn a bridge. Offer two weeks and move on. Follow YOUR dreams!

Three weeks is plenty of notice, unless you signed a contract to give more.

Give them as much notice as you can, but take the job you want. The job you desire will help you for the rest of your career, but your current company just has a short term personnel problem. Most important is to take care of yourself and your family (current or future) first.

Do what is best for you. They can figure out how to staff the airplane. Bet you a dollar they can you as soon as you give your notice.....