I was about to send my two pennies worth and then G SXTY beat me too it and hit the nail on the head.
I unfortunately join the ranks of "wanna be"... or even "gonna be" if all works out.
"As soon as they find a job, the vast majority of pilots never set foot in here again."
I intend to use PPRUNE as a bit of a fact finder before departing on the long path to the clouds so while it would be very much appreciated that those in the industry share their knowledge, this section of the site is full of people like me trying to learn something... and plenty of other bitter, twisted, nay saying, name callers. It's not productive but gives another point of view all the same. Just learn to read into who is providing the information and how valid it is in your career path.
"working pilots are usually out flying aeroplanes - not at home all day in front of their computer or working in an office with internet access"
All those sat in front of a PC right now in a dead end job, dreaming of a pilots job, say yeah.... probably the VAST majority on here! (including me!!!) There is plenty of good information out there (and here), and getting out and speaking to pilots who have made it, making contacts possibly the best way to get your foot in the door (in my limited experience) but it should at least give you a more positive light, and some inspiration as to getting airborne.
"the endless repetition of the same questions (am I too old, is integrated better, can I get into BA with a C in maths etc) because people can't be bothered to read the 'stickies'"
- How very true! And my guess is that those people will probably be the ones back here in a number of years moaning about not being able to fly for what ever lame reason, or how some course screwed them for their parents house. I hope not to join those ranks by being a bit better informed in the first place!!!
"Apart from the occasional post when someone finds a job, you don't hear about all the success stories (and there are many)."
- How very true again my friend, but to those that haven't quite got it yet, you won't find many of them on here. So get out and about and stop moaning
You get out what you put in at the end of the day.
"So there you go. Firstly it's a fact of life that once people stop being wannabes, they lose interest in wannabes' issues. And secondly you're often your own worst enemy. I hang around here because I spent many, many years as a wannabe, and I remember what it was like. It was the posts from working professional pilots that helped keep me focused, and those rare inspirational posts that motivated me through some of the darker times."
- Again, written like a genius! I too hope to return here someday to pass on a bit of knowledge and help others. Trouble is, there's plenty of people who seem to know best (with no prior knowledge) and no matter what you tell them, they will do their own thing (based more from my experience in other areas than flying). There's no one solution for all, but listen to those that REALLY know and you shouldn't go too far wrong.
"It's a whole lot better than getting your 'advice' from flying schools."
-They are a business... interested primarily in one thing... your money! Sure they claim to care but do you honestly think they'd continue to operate as a "not for profit" organisation. The sceptic in me thinks not.
So good luck to all wishing to someday be a pilot. Those who can, will.