'Bunglerat' yr story hit home with me a fair bit as I too did similar things as some of yr bullet points but lost the wife & kids along the way due simply trying too hard working 3 jobs to get where I am 2day. I paid a HUGE price to be a pilot, was it worth it? Looking back with hindsight NO it wasn't but I made my bed & now I lie in it wondering almost everyday "what if"!
I love flying always have since a small boy but I doubt I'd do it again as a career..
Having said that we each have our reasons as to why we find ourselves here talking about the past the trail to the so called 'success' trying to give an insight to a fellow aviator whom might one day be faced with the numerous stories of pilots good & bad.
There's one fear if you wanna call it that that a person with dreams of flying faces during his/her life and that's your siting on that mythical rocking chair after a long career in a field other than aviation thinking........"if only I had done what I now dream of"
"J_56" despite all the stories here all the advice only your mates will know what's truly deep down inside them with regards as to what to do.
I wish them well on a journey that's not easy,not even stable but a family IS the most important precious thing anyone can have.Not having a career in aviation is one thing but losing your family 'cause of aviation is a LOT worse!
Wmk2