Al E Vator
Could agree any more, the number of people around airports who "know it all" but have never put their balls on the line is amazing.
Usually they are "experts"
In my whole life the one thing I can say that gives me the proudest feelings is when I see pilots who I gave a start to achieve their career goal.
This couldn't be more so than when I flew to Perth a couple of years ago. The captain of the Virgin flight was an ex First Officer on a Heron, and the Virgin First Officer use to be one of my chief pilots.
All I can say is get off your arses and live your dreams, even if you fail, at least you tried.