Work to Fly or Fly to work?
This has been a very interesting thread. As someone who came to flying relatively late in life I will never have the option of earning a living by professional flying. But, from where I am working to pay for flying is no bad option. In just over a year since qualifying I have an IMC and night qualification and have the chance to fly two aircraft in which I hold shares, one of which is a tail dragger. I shall shortly be starting on aerobatics in a Chippy! In the near future I will do the CPL, not because I want a career but for the challenge.
My point is that there is more than one way to get to fly. Professional flying is almost unique as a career in terms of the up front financial committment required and the currently very poor prospects of full time employment in the industry. I have never trained as a professional pilot but I know several who have, some of whom have sucessfully obtained jobs and who love every minute, one other at least who now after several years finds the work routine and a little unfulfilling. One of the best pilots and instructors I know (not just my inexperienced opinion) has been unable to find any commercial employment at all after several years. Of course it is the same with many jobs: hours of routine punctuated by prief moments of real excitment and and challenge.
This forum and comments elsewhere suggests that many wannabies will meet years of frustration in finding work and some will never obtain employment. It does no harm to consider whether money may not be better spent.