I retired some months ago and am now itching to get back into action again; I've endured countless medicals, sim checks and line checks. I have been conditioned and hardened to take all this in my stride. However for the not so young wannabes with a good vocation after a tertiary education and young family, I would advise caution. You may be inflicting upon your family and yourself quite a bit of pain should your dream airline career sputters and lurches midway. Unless you have an overwhelming passion for airline flying or other really compelling reasons, be happy with what you have and fly privately for fun and leisure.