I was once told by a guy at the CAA that something like 75% of those sitting in the exam halls never go on to fly commercially.
What you have to remember is that an awful lot of them are re-sitting, they are not all there for the first time. Many of them will not get all the exams in their three attempts and will give up then. Many run out of money and give up after (which is when it gets expensive.) Many get the licence issued and then give up by letting things lapse and going back to earn money doing what they were doing before. So you can see how easily it is for the number actually gaining airline pilot employment to be significantly lower than those you see in the exam halls.
The one thing that is guaranteed in this industry is that if you do not show strong determination you will fall by the wayside. Now is a particularly harsh time to be seeking that first airline appointment, but times have been like this before. The ones who stuck at it got through and do work for airlines now. The same applies today. You may not get that job now, it may take a year or two, but use that time as well as you can to gain more hours and experience anywhere, flying anything and you will be displaying the determination that will bring you the reward at some point in the future.
So gabu, it all comes down to how much you want it. You are experiencing the tough times right now and we all remember those exams and how difficult they can be. If you are not 100% committed to a flying career you will become one of those statistics. What I would say is that if you would prefer to be selling fishing boat trips then go and do it now before you commit large sums of cash to the rest of your flying training. If you
have to fly then this will get you through the tough times.
As for choosing to become a lawyer or doctor or anything else because it would pay more money, well that's fine, but don't expect to have it easier training for one of these careers, especially if you're 30+. Sure there are disgruntled pilots, but I would guess that there are disgruntled individuals in every job known to man, except perhaps astronauts?!
Things will turn around, they always do and if you are still in the hunt and want it enough you will get a job flying, it just might take longer than wanted. The main thing to remember in the current market is to do everything possible to minimise risk of failure should you be lucky enough to get an opportunity, but then again if you want it enough you would already know that....
PP