A pilot once quoted me this:
"there are three stages in a pilots career, your first job, your first twin job and your first jet job."
Each stage is just as hard as the last to get a leg up. One way or the other you got to pay for it. Either in hard cash, time out in wonderland or return of military service. There are no free lunches in aviation, not even the cheap and narsty airline food.
Another quote I once heard
'your life is determined by the choices you make, not the chances you take."
I say:
Keep your nose clean and your mouth shut.
Am by no way am I trying to sound pessimistic, just frank.
It's kind of like getting sex....you can pay for it in cash...pay for it in hard labor...or pay for it in return of service!
U2