I left the RAF at age 38 after 16 yrs of, allegedly, aircraft engineering. Ten months on a turboprop then onto jets with a well-known big airline. Hopefully in next year or two I'll make the move on to 777/747. Has it been worth it? Most definitely. Is it extremely hard work and, at times, frustrating? Most certainly. Would I do it all over again? Without a doubt.
Might never make a longhaul skipper in this company but it's the best move I've ever made. Work hard but the pay's good and, in the right company, your terms and conditions are fairly well protected.