I think it can turn out to be a horror story, but a lot of it depends on how you approach it. I think it's interesting to hear how others are coping, and hopefully to the thousands of wannabees they will take notice of this and open their eyes. Then again, all it takes is one swish marketing seminar from a big FTO and they're running to the bank to sign up. I am still hoping that one day I will be able to fully use my licence, however I often think I should have done a ppl and left it at that. And this is coming from someone who has wanted to fly planes from the age of 5. Bad times!