Izzy, step carefully.
Leafblower puts it well.
All the stories of old guys scoring jet jobs is in the past.
Things are happening so fast at present who would know what lies ahead in our industry.
Take leave or whatever, don't resign.
You might also like to consider risk management.
With a young family you have some big responsibilities.
There have been two very sad accidents in the past month.
These have been on Pprune.
I am all for following a dream but not at any cost.