"Many have lost their homes and families through their determination to get where they are"
"Plenty will be pretty damn poor when they retire."
"some of them have stories which would make you wince"
hmmm
As far as I can see Virgin pilots get paid pretty damn amazing.
Up to 94k + £15.60/hour flight pay for a captain.
Thats pretty damn rich by most peoples standards.
You make it sound like were soilders in Vietnam. Hardly.
Its still an enjoyable and well paid job, which makes for a good life (including family). Thats what I find anyway.