Started my 4 week flying crash course in August 1999.
I then bought a share in a C150 and started building hours.
Started correspondence ATPL course in September 2001.
ATPL exams passed, 300 hours built, CPL passed and I'm now 6 hours into my IR.
For the last 5 years, I've used all my holidays from work in order to do this.
The good points is I've had an income coming in all the time and my training in the long run is cheaper because my wage is still helping me and my family just about live without going into too much debt.
The bad points is I've not had a family holiday since ???? well I cant remember. Very understanding and supportive wife.
If I had jacked work in completely and completed my training in lets say 2002, I probably would not of got a job straight away because of Sept 11th.
I hope to have IR complete for September 2005.
It's a long slog and you should not look too far ahead.
I would stay at work as long as you can. Your 5 on 5 off is perfect for flight training.
By the way, I work a shift pattern of 4 on 2 off sort of thing and was sometimes doing 50 - 60 hours a week before I cut it back last year in order to get on with my training. Now doing about 40 hours a week on shifts, earlys ( 5am starts ) lates ( midnight finishes ) etc etc etc
It can be done.