Hi all,
thanks to all of you so much for your constructive comments. It's a huge relief to know that other people have undertaken a similar career choice and have successfully come out the other end as airline pilots. It's also very reassuring to know that some of these people also manage to be doctors as well. I don't want to give up medical practice if I can avoid it, it would be ideal if I could do both.
I understand that it is a long slog and that it expensive and not exactly prosperous economic times for pilots or airlines but hopefully this may change.
Thanks again, everyone for your help.
Joe