Slasher,
Hope you saved some of that "loot" because you could do with some English lessons. You'll need that especially when you are defending yourself somewhere in some forum where the big guys are out to get you.
For me, rather not be on my own thanks and have never regretted for a second my 37 years in the AFAP.
The shape of the Australian industry right now is the result of a few pilots here and there, especially 18 years back, "making decisions for themselves". Smell the coffee son, history can bite again.