Hi welshman,
Dont know your age, but i'm starting down the path of a CPL H at 41 you gonna meet a lot of people that are going to think your mad and wasting your money, I've heard it all, its up to you, may be these people are right, i suspect they are, but if you really want to do something, and you've considered the risks, then go for it, things dont always stay the same in this world, If you dont do, you'll never know will you.
I think a lot of people are gonna give me a hard ride for saying this, you got to be positive, talk to as many people as you can in the industry, you never know a small chance may emerge.
Its easy( well intentioned it may be) to knock people for unrealistic, you gotta rise above it and go for it