Probably preaching to the choir here, but 2-3 years out is also a good timeframe to start "tightening the belt" on your finances if you're considering separating for the airlines. Pay off the car loans, eliminate credit card debt, start building up the rainy day cash account....
Everyone talks about how much first year pay sucks, but it doesn't instantly get better when second year pay kicks in. While YMMV, and having heeded my advice above, it wasn't until about year three at the airline that I could finally start to "loosen the belt."
While I love hearing the stories of folks going to indoc while on terminal leave, it seems to be the exception to the rule. Plan accordingly.