Good thread. Am glad some people are looking at the salaries and not just jumping in to aviation, based on media speculation, like they did a few years back! I remember telling my parents that I wanted to be a pilot back in 1999 when I finished 10+2. Parents laughed at me. No way they said - could not afford it or even bother with loans. So that was it. And looking at the current situation, I am glad I did not jump in to it.
In India - aviation was never meant to be for the middle class guy. Its for the elite upper middle class and upper class, who could probably afford it. @Torque - life is never pleasant when you have loans hanging over your head. But looks like your friend is working towards his goal and will soon have his dreams come true.