redmania
I self funded in 1999. I had the majority of money to go to Oxford from my career on the Stock Exchange. Only borrowed enough to live on for the 14 month course.
I got lucky afterwards. I joined jmc straight on a 757.
5 years exactly from starting my course, I paid off my borrowings, and am now relatively well off.
My point is: it takes a lot of luck ,and a lot of sacrifice and debt to get there.
If you really want to be a pilot, then go for it. If it is a pipedream... don't bother.
Hopefully, the trend of jobs becoming available today will continue. That way perhaps a few more of your wannabee brethren will not be blocking your path to employment when you graduate.