XX621,
I've had this conversation a few times recently - Knowing what you know now, would you do it again?!?
From personal experience - Luck and Timing is everything, regardless of skills...2010 has well and truly proved this for me personally, both have played there hands!
But, if what you are looking for is my feeling towards the job as a whole, it's all positive stuff - I never tire of doing the job whatever the time of day, I certainly don't regret any of the expense or hard work. I go to work looking forward to been at work. The shine does come off though, it is a job, I don't live to work!
Right now, i'd be hard pushed to recommend this to someone I cared about though, without wanting to step on someones dreams, enter the hold indefinietly, the industry has nothing to offer low-houred/zero experienced pilots.
Cheers
JB