roundsounds,
Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as mocking instructors. I just didn't think they would still be doing it after this much time had passed. They were "shiny jet guys" at the start and wouldn't settle for anything less.
It took me nearly 3 years to get my first flying job and have only had a 6 month flying gap in the last 4 years. I consider myself very lucky as I have a GA job that pays like a jet job.