"Also the previous posters are incorrect...even YOU cannot determine whether it's worth it or not."

Actually, the individual's judgement is the sole determinant of value. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

The financial instability is part of the calculation but not the whole enchilada. Do kids ask pilots at air shows about their 401k? The view from the window, the travel, the challenge of trying to fly a good airplane, working with the crew to get things done....these things have value, at least to me, even after 20 years.

If one can only determine the grand sum total of an aviation career after decades of experience based on the success or failure of things completely out of your control, I would advise getting an HVAC certification and making real money.

At the end of your career in aviation, you could be well off or flat on your ass financially. An agonizing question you may have at the end is "Would you have done anything differently?".

If you "needed" to be there, no agonizing required....go have another beer.