Ok, Blackshift, I do understand what you're getting at, but I disagree that it's a class thing. It's far more of a perceived status thing - which has more to do with individuals' belief of what constitutes a suitable occupation for them individually than it does with any concept of what their particular strata of society should or should not do. To that extent, I think class is an outdated concept - but arrogance and misplaced self-worth will always be around!
But that's an argument for somewhere other than this topic or forum...
The fact is that if you wish to earn a reasonable living wage while studying for a self-sponsored ATPL, it is a relatively straightforward proposition to do so, so long as you are willing to take on the kinds of jobs we are suggesting. If social conditioning makes it impossible for any individual to do this, then more fool them. It is a means to an end, no more and no less.
Scroggs