I know someone who made it into a jet with a major airline at 36. The reason it took so long was they never made the grade 15 years ago and would have struggled with the 100k. They were never prime pilot material but eventually had enough equity in a flat to pursue being a pilot. Being a Pilot is really not that difficult and the level the bar has been set at in recent years means there is probably another 50k people in the UK alone that could take it up tomorrow if they have 100k backing. Being a pilot is no longer a career but more of an expensive lifestyle experience. Most would be financially better off working an office job that pays 35k.