Hi Kristie,
I'm not sure what you'd like to move to, but I'm sure you are or have researched what you need to know. I can only speak to my experience so here it goes..,
The first thing that made it possible for me, was to have a supportive spouse and then to be able to do it financially. She is a nurse, and so income for us (although cut by 60%) is still ok for us. The next decision I had to make was actually an easy one. Do I want to "ease" into it or go all the way. For me the answer was go all the way. My rationale, was if flying is what I'm gong to be doing for the rest of my life, and my other concerns are satisfied (read above) then anything else I'm doing will simply take valuable time away from me achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a professional pilot.
Once I made up my mind that I was going to quit my job, to begin my NEW career, the search for a flight school began. My focus was on a school that could give me the greatest opportunity to log as much multi engine flight time I could get as quickly as possible. This all began for us, about a year ago. I did find that school and have just completed my Commercial Multi and Single check rides and am Instrument rated with about 170 total multi engine hrs and 280 total time.
The only thing I couldn't really resolve in tems of comfort level (1 year ago) is what the industry was going to look like. A year ago, hiring minimums were alot higher at the regional level and so I fully expected to have to flight instruct for 2 years. Being 42 at the time would mean that I wouldn't actually enter the profession until after my 45th birthday! Well I got on the internet and found this wonderful site and met (online) other folks my age who had done it , and we're having the time of their life!
Some things were unresolvable or unknowable at the time, so you know how I was able to resolve that.., faith, plain and simple. I left it in "his" hands and said that if it's what I'm meant to do then he'll make it happen you know? So we sold our beautiful house on 5 acres in Oklahoma City, quit both our jobs, and moved to Florida so I could pursue this. Sooo.., one year into this I see many, so many opportunities opening up for us, our mandatory retirement age being kicked up to 65, airlines desparate for pilots. I mean who could have EVER imagined this a year ago! It's just amazing to me, and however this turns out, where ever we end up, I know in my heart we made the right decision. Since we started this journey, we have been blessed in so many ways.
Kristie,
This wonderful web site you and Doug have so graciously provided for guys like me has provided us (my wife and I) with invaluable insight into this profession as well as treasured friendships, and I just want to say thankyou.
So I'd say if you're really convinced that this is what you want, and you can work out the personal/financial stuff...,Take a deep breath, and take a leap of faith, the waters warm and it IS getting hotter! So jump in!!!
I wish you the very best of luck!