Thanks for your honest and accurate post. Whilst it won’t come as much consolidation, at the very least you have reminded this airline pilot just how fortunate their career path has been despite any self perceived hardships.
Stick at it and stay in touch, you’ll be surprised who from here might be able to help.
I will contend your point about Alice though. I spent a few years there and survived many nights out including a nap or two in the Todd after they kicked us out of the Cas. Great memories.