This thread has grown into a lively one!
Desk-pilot, there's a PM for you.
Postman23, thanks for good advice. I consider it strongly.
Dan98, I respect your decision to go back to your previous job.
FlyingOfficerKite, I may follow that guys decision.
Thanks to all for good and insightful comments! As a general remark, I value the comments most by those of you who also have a family you care about. Many of the other comments sound as coming from young, single excited "I want to fly whatever it takes.", " This is my life.", "Family or marriage is not important to me." kind of people I met so many times at flight schools, flying clubs, training courses etc. My impression is that many wannabes don't value family life particularly high. At least in their mindset they want to postpone it a couple of decades or so. I suppose I was one of the determined candidates too but I also waited a long time before I completed my training.
Most of the pilots with kids I've met spent very little time with them during their young years. Was it worth it? Many many older pilots even don't have a family at all which can not be very fun when you come close to retirement. Were all the sunsets worth it? All the Cat 3 landings? Of course, family is not for everyone but I assume pilots are like most people and most people want to have a family and a working relationship at home. There are so many divorces among pilots...
The reason I want to fly is that I want to do something else than my computer job which I have been doing for nearly twenty years now. Imagining myself doing the same thing until retirement kind of scares me. I am not a thrill seeker but I want some kind of engagement and satisfaction from my work. Being a computer guy pays well but just doesn't give me that other satisfaction.
Ok, so I decided to go for the training at a late stage in life (age 43 when commencing ATPL Theory). I am now in great dept to the bank and also divorced, partly because of my stubbornness to become a pilot. Kids still in their school years. Was it worth it? I can not answer it. Now that I'm finally at the finishing line I hesitate to cross it because of the downside of it. All I can say is that I don't want to grow old and keep thinking "What if I only had given it a try...?". That has always been my strongest motivation.
Conclusion? I will probably take the bait and accept the contract just to try it out. I can always come back to my previous job.
Thanks again and take care of your closest!
G88