Joe- i can assure you that Gertude wasnt being rude but you are very lucky to be at the position you are in at 17, the positive side of this is you have plenty of time even if it becomes a finacial struggle. I had a receptionist (17 -19 years age) that worked for me once that built his hours up by using two weeks dole money to buy an hours flying, sadly he endeded up impaled into a mountain flying below safety altitiude while doing a dubious charter flight to build up hours- he undertook a flight outside of his ability while trying to build up hours- so be careful!