Gidday The Bunglerat.
What a true and very familar story. Thanks for sharing it with us. The road to a career in aviation has never been easy. Unless you, (and your family) have been through it, people have no idea of the sacrifices that we have made. Some sail under a lucky star, but I believe them to be in the minority.
The problem of course is that our profession has fallen behind others in terms of pay and conditions. Earlier last year in an outburst of surpreme optimism, (read all fingers and toes crossed and head buried tightly up his a.....), our Chief pilot told me, "Krusty, supply of pilots will never be a problem as people will always be driven to learn to fly no matter what they are ultimately paid"!!!!!
Well, despite such nonsence, the penny will finally drop. We may see a resurgence in the numbers learning to fly, but only after the industry starts to truely compete for labour. Such are the changed attitudes to aviation as a career today.
So marty, jump in and make sure you are a part of it. Because when these characters (airline management) eventually see the light, all your sacrifices will be worthwhile.