Have you even applied? Have you determined an estimated availability date if you do 7day opt? Have you confirmed the flight records section has all your times? I was missing almost 200hrs of flight time. Have your converted your times to PIC/SIC? It can take days translating your military time to PIC/SIC. I know some folks have purchased Log10pro for iPad/home computer and transcribed all of their times into it and then they have a nice logbook and their flight records folder for backup. If you're considering going an airline career now is the time to fill out your resume. Each airline has different methods of calculating your total times and each can be very confusing. Delta and United are easy because they're on the same site just the addendum is different. Once those are complete its much easier to complete the rest (AA, FDX, UPS). The apps are more detailed than getting a security clearance and even more frustrating. Be conservative on your availability until after you opt out. Once you have a separation date go to finance and have them calculate the earliest day you can begin terminal leave. Lots of folks getting unexpected calls. At FDX if you don't update your app at least every 45 days you'll fall out of their search criteria. Every 2 weeks is best, even if it's just something minor. I'm sure others have similar criteria. I met a C17 pilot in Ramstein who was hired in May with a December availability. I met a Randolph IP at my interview who was hired last week who also has a December availability date. If your even considering getting out then you need to fill out your apps because once you do decide to get out and you haven't filled them out then you're already behind. Until you do those you've made the decision to stay in. Last September a buddy was retiring and nervous he hadn't got a call. By April he was within 2 months of terminal leave and he had 1 interview. 1 month later 2 more. The next week another. As the hiring folks at United have said, they have about 10000 applications on file so it will take a while to get through them. Delta also has the same, United, etc. But they all have the same folks on file. For the most part they're all pulling from the same pile of people and collectively they're going through them quickly.
There's no magical fairy dust that will make it an easy decision. Your not the first person to agonize over this decision. Whether you get out now our later you'll be in the same situation. Later, you might have a retirement check which will make the first year pay more bearable. Get out now and get a Line number which will make your quality of life better later. Lots of variables with no easy answer. You need to sit down with your wife and discuss what you can handle together. Uncertainty sucks and causes stress, there's just no way around it.