Hi Paat. I think some of your PM replies ended up on this thread!
I did 17 years in the mob, then have since done 7 years in airlines. I have done scheduled passenger long haul, freight long haul and scheduled short haul in that time. And for me, the short haul gives me the best QoL. I work hard, but the rewards are good.
The passenger LH was OK at first as we did mostly ULH with only 3 trips a month, But them we started doing mostly east coast USA destinations, and six of those in a month is a killer! Freight is OK, but expect lots of being buggered around. The short haul is better for me- the main benefit is no jet lag. You will have suffered occaisional jet lag in the RAF (Oh, hang on. I seem to remember you said you few Hercs - scurvey was probably more of a problem!
) but it's not like suffereing it constantly. Coping with Jet Lag is a young person's game. As you get older, like me you will probably find your circadian rythems get stronger and you won't get to sleep when your body says it's time to be awake.
But people are correct when they say it's the civilian world is less stable. I managed to get made redundant from my first airline before I had even left the RAF! (Joined three weeks before 9/11 which wasn't the best timing). however, once you get that important first type rating you more employable and the jobs will find you.
The main thing is to take advice, think carefully and then decide what is going to be best for you and your family. And avoid low cost operators. Low cost means low overheads. And as a pliot - you are an overhead!