L'Aviateur,
Believe me, you wont regret your switch of careers if you can make it to the airlines!
flying in an airline environment is a fairly easy job, compared to navigating a ship, (and all the other stuff you do on board). A mate at my base also came down this route, and we were discussing if we would go back to sailing, should the sh*t hit the fan. I want to avoid this at all cost, really don't miss those trips were you are lucky to get 5 hours of sleep a day. After 16 weeks on board you dont know where you bunk is anymore and how a good night sleep feels like, then its really time to go home...
After Nautical training the ATPL study was a big dissapoinment, i was expecting to get some proper education on the matter. I miss the challenges of sailing sometimes, but actually having a social life, spent some time with the family and get paid pretty well makes up for it.
good luck!