I don't think he was trying to scare you, just being realistic! Better to tell it straight than to look at it through rose tinted spectacles.
So many of the old skippers in my company keep banging on about "get into BA then you'll be sorted". Well by looking at deadroddington's post I think I'll give it a miss, even though my company only pays 7% into my pension
BA's changed and isn't that far off other companies packages.
In the 5 years to earn the £63k you could be a skipper in my company on just under £80k and you'll be home every night!
Swings and roundabouts.