I sympathise with you completely! My parents where also keen for me o have other career options which I agreed with them. However, the overwhelming desire to fly for a living was enought for me to take on the challenge.
As some posters have already pointed out a military flying career could be an option. The medical requirements are often a lot tougher than in the civilian world so my first advice would be to look into these requirements.
There are also sponorship schemes available to bring the cost side of things down. If your looking to get straight into an airline job flying big jets this probably isn't the way for you. But again as many posters have already suggested it isn't always as glamorous as it looks.
If you do a little bit of homework you'll notice this group of companies were once part of a larger group that prided themselves on taking on young ambitious individuals like yourself.
www.rvl-group.com
www.highlandairways.couk
www.atlanticairlines.co.uk
The Atlantic Airlines scheme I believe is only part sponsored now but still worth looking at. The other two are complete 'zero to hero' schemes incuding ground school and CPL/IR training. They all comprise of an approximatley 18 month term as a cadet in wich various company orientated duties will be performed. Depending on which company you join depends on what these duties are.
If you want any more 'inside' info onthe RVL scheme feel free to PM me.
What ever you decide good luck mate!
