I was in a very similar situation 15 years or so ago, went off and did my ATPLS and CPL just as 9/11 happened and the industry took a nose dive.
Went back to my old well paid profession allowing me to enjoy flying all sorts of weird and wonderful types and now find myself doing this for fun!
Wouldn't swap it for commercial flying that's for sure!!! Pity it doesn't pay though....maybe one day
