Some good posts in this thread.
I am 27 and about to leave a 6 fig salary to Join the RAAF, Obviously Money in not the motivator, Money may make some people happy, but not me. I have seen my salary grow a lot in the 5 years I have been in my current industry but has it ever influenced my level of enjoyment from my work.... Never.
I feel very fortunate to have the chance to pursue something I wanted to do since I was a child but never thought I would have the chance.
I think the barriers to entry into aviation are there because there is not shortage of people wanting to give it a go. If HECS allowed flying training it would increase the supply and the rewards at the end would go down.
I think its crazy to have to pay 100k to get a job which the starting salary is 30k but the question must be asked is why do people do it.
There is something about flying aeroplanes that's different from a desk job..... Its called FUN!!