When you are 6 years old or 10 or 15, you look up at the sky and see a beautiful metal bird in the sky! Then you go on a trip with your parents and see a smart, fit, RayBan glassed man
going into the pointy end of the aircraft and NO ONE IS ALLOWED THERE!
Wow, must be important things happening in there!
THAT's where I suppose the dreams are born. The actual nightmare of days and days away from family, job uncertainties, risk, et all gets unveiled AFTER the kid actually joins an airline.....something like the heaven/hell screen saver with St.Peter!!!
As opposed to other conventional careers which exist on one plane (plane as in axis!), it may also be the attraction of a three axis existence which appeals.