Im 20 and have often looked at the Airline Pilot option for many years but have kind of decided to persue another career instead.
In todays society as im sure you are aware many people chase further education in order to gain better careers. The problem is that you can take courses in just about anything nowadays e.g. BA Hons in Surfing and Candlestick making to name a few. This means that when I go to apply for a job with my 'O level's' 'A level' and 'BTEC ND' qualifications, the other guy with the Degree in Bungee jumping is likely to win the bet. and this means that people like you and me have quite a bit of competition when looking at different careers.
Im not saying that further education is a bad thing and respect the people who persue it, however it seems that it is all too easy nowadays to go off to Uni for three years getting into debt, when you could be doing something more productive with your time like getting a job and progressing within that environment.
As I am sure you are aware in order to gain a training sponsorship from an airline you usually need a Degree or two and an academic aptitude to match. Otherwise self funding is the answer and even then it doesnt guarantee you the right hand seat at the end of it.
Maybe I should stop digging as I havent answered your question, but good luck anyway and remember if you want it hard enough you WILL eventually get it!
John
