Thats right, alot of pilots have not done anything else so dont realise that all careers and industries have declined in terms of T&C's.
I would see a reduction in my lifestyle if i get a flying job but eventually it will equal and hopefully surpass my current income later in my career. I may choose to contract as I like that way of working and have done it for years in my current occupation. (I also work in a design office
).
Paying to work as I was referring to in my previous post meant long term P2F. I may buy myself a TR and if I can afford it and it gets me in somewhere then so be it. I won't lose any sleep if it never happens though so long as I can still fly on a weekend. I will however continue to look enviously at every aircraft that flies overhead.