It sounds to me like you're looking for a glamour job. Aviation is like that, but only until the novelty wears off. You really have to WANT to fly to be in the industry - it's always been like that and, I'm sure, always will be.
If you're passionate about being out of an earthbound office, try bus or truck driving. Same crappy hours, same crappy pay and same competition from low-cost operators. I don't mean this to sound glib but to get a reaction from you that demonstrates that you really want to fly.
If you don't REALLY want to fly, this industry will chew you up and spit you out in very short order.
Would I do it all over again? Absolutely yes! But the difference is that I truly LOVE everything to do with flying! If you don't have THAT sort of commitment, heed your dad's advice and look for something else.