I'm glad to see that at last there is now some sensible arguments being put forward on the subject that are indeed very worthy of reply.
There are a lot of interesting points that deserve a reply here and time permitting I will add some of my own views to some of them this weekend.
Here's a quick one, in the meantime. FlyPuppy's scenario, regarding wife and kids at home with the usual financial demands etc and the pressure put on poor pilot that has extended himself to pay for TR? FP, sorry to say this, but maybe said pilot in that position should have first got wife and kids to 'sign up' to the concept and the realities before hubby made that commitment? The other side is that no matter how much hubby wants to indulge his passion to fly, his circumstances might dictate that an alternative carreer would be more prudent?
His financial situation or his family scenario is not the aviation industry's problem, but more his own.?
Outrageous view you might think, but food for thought.
CH4