Pilots have Lives?
I tell my mom I play the piano in a whorehouse!
Seriously, I'm awfully cynical too. Being a pilot is less about a career choice and more about a lifestyle (Yes, I'm out of the closet and admitting I've chosen this way of life!).
Ok, I'll try to be serious again.
I've been cuttin' a paycheck at this silly game for 10 years now. Long days, low pay, multiple moves (last one within 150 miles of the Arctic Circle...), dishonorable management, two economic down turns, almost killed myself more times than I'll admit....
But I just don't know what else I would've ever done.
If you think you might be cut out for an industry of uncertainty, high divorce rates and alcohol abuse then I think you owe it to yourself to give it a shot.
Who said, Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.
When you're on you're deathbed you don't want to have any regrets and if you start now things in the industry can *only* get better.....for awhile....and then they'll suck again and you'll be talking someone out of taking the leap.
Good luck and welcome to Pprune.