imthecaptainnow

Money is not the primary motivator, I absolutely love to fly, and I think I understand (as much as any layman can, which is limited) the lifestyle and pressures of being a pilot. I come from an aviation family, started flight training at 14, including aerobatics, worked in aviation marketing most of my career, brother was FedEx pilot, etc. When I graduated from college I ****ed that most excellent beginning away... airlines were laying off, and my vision SODA negated the best route, military. So it seemed more sensible to use my degree and work on aviation brands instead. The reason I am considering the money aspect is that I would prefer to go forward in my retirement goals, not backwards, so it’s a consideration. I did talk with my AME who reviewed my records, gave me a quick eye exam, said yeah, I’d pass class 1. I’ll get that done officially very soon. No relationship ties at the moment, so the personal disruption (relocating) is there but manageable.

Not be debbie downer but I think you need to seriously consider your career move at 53 years old. You have only 430 hours...over 39 years thats 11 hours per year! It's going to take you a couple of years to get your time built up to even get noticed and all those pilots already at the airlines have been rapidly building time.
Don't let people blow smoke up your butt saying you'll get hired at the airlines as well; its taken them years to get to where they're at today. Your quality of life is going to go downhill considerably once you get to the regionals. And in 7 years there is absolutely no guarantee you'll get hired at a major or even an ULCC most of the hiring is going to be done in 10 years and your going to be stuck at the bottom of the senority list commuting and possibly hating life. Why not just enjoy your life with your family?

Horseflyer

Make no mistake, I'm scared to death.

And thanks for doing the math - yes, it's sad on an hours-per-year rate, I agree. I went in a different direction when my corrected eyesight didn't encourage flying professionally. Such a great start - and it went nowhere.

Pro change: I'm in a highly economy-sensitive industry that has changed a lot, away from my specialty, in the last 30 years. I've survived two downturns by the skin of my teeth, and the third one is inbound any day now. I do love to fly, I have some proven talent for it, albeit basic level compared to flying jets. I have few ties, no family of my own (siblings, parents, but all scattered and busy themselves). I can keep the most rewarding (money and satisfaction both) part of my current career going while flying. Zero benefits being self-employed (insurance, retirement, etc.) I want to travel - a lot. Restless where I am currently, both in situation and location. I'm fit and have the energy of someone ten years younger.

Con change: I'm a proven hard worker, sure, but I've called the shots for a long time. It's going to require showing up always humble and frequently exhausted. (I've been around pilots my whole life - I do understand some of the life.) May not remotely get the return on investment, as you say. May no longer have the brain power to get through the training in one piece.

Right now, my decision is to get the MEL, and see if I get hired as an FO in twin turboprop. Keep my other career going regardless... being very choosy if I'm flying, and (per usual) taking everything worthwhile I can get if not. If no one picks me up... I've lit 5-6k on fire.