You should have grown up devouring everything to do with aeroplanes! You've left uni- was there a uni air squadron that would have taken you near aeroplanes? Did you ever think about trying for a licence at 17? Going to airports for hours on end just to watch? Have you just answered your own question? Don't give it another thought.
Hands up how many commercial pilots actually did this? If they were the only ones who 'gave it another thought' the skies would be empty.
I'm not disagreeing with your general point Notsofantastic, but a little OTT???