PPL 2001.
CPL May 2004.
FI November 2004
All self funded (small mortgage to large mortgage!).
Thankfully was offered a full time Instructing job 5 mins post FI test pass. Been teaching since, it's what I want to do. Mate I did the FI course with was recently snapped up by Bond and is currently completing his IR - thats what he wanted to do
Working very long hours for whats proving to be fairly reasonable pay. (For the hours put in the hourly rate is rubbish, but I'm making enough to live reasonably well)
Hours approaching the 600 mark, restriction already lifted. Know I'm low time and grateful for the company taking the risk.
Aged mid 30's in case anybody was wondering.
That said I accept I have been very fortunate and I know of a few others who are still looking for that all important first break.