Mate I was in IT for 7years before I changed career and now 8years later I'm in the right hand seat of a jet. You have 2 ways instruct or GA, I chose the later and spent 4years in the bush and 4years in a turboprop. Trust me i know your wife says now she supports you but the I have only seen 1 in 10 relationships make it through GA and through to airlines. Also I went from a six figure salary to earning 400pw living in a shed working 6.5 days a week flying 100hrs a month. That said I wouldnt give up the experience or the friends you make for the world.
I tried the dual career for a while but IT is difficult to get work accept in Darwin or maybe Cairns but I found it impossible to balance the two careers had to drop the IT.
Good luck
555