From a slightly different angle: When I retire (from the banking industry!) I'll go flying for a living!
Looked at a career in aviation from the start (in my mid 20's) and realised that apart from a relatively small percentage, it's a bit of a pi55 take: huge cash outlay, very few jobs and T&Cs like pooh.
But love flying so I flew singles and twins for fun, funded by lucrative banking rewards, slowly working toward licenses/ratings. Kids, mortgage, pension mainly sorted now.
Got all the tickets now and at just over 40, I'm no way too old for what I want out of the aviation industry as it now is: I'm hoping to instruct or fly corporate. Or both. Full time or part time don't really care as long as I enjoy my retirement!
And what about all the pilots coming into the industry now, tens of thousands of squid in debt?! My hat's off to that level of single minded dedication to a career. But ever worked out the opportunity cost of all that money? I mean, what a back foot to start on, financially. House? Kids? Pension? What will they do about retirement, I wonder? Something has to change....
the Wings