1. NO

2. NO

1. I would advocate a more secure job in healthcare, computers, engineering such as civil or mechanical, accounting, etc. I would encourage flying as a hobby but with a professional approach to training and refresher/recurrent activity. The "fly as a hobby" pilot should still obtain IFR-Commercial and seek out quality training events and participate in Cessna Owners Club, etc type meetings and stay current with their airplanes.

2. While I "like flying", at this point with all my investment both time and money wise, it is hard to just quit. My current flying job is one of the "good ones" and I like it. With that said, in my next life, I wouldn't become a pilot. I would pursue option #1 above.

Of all the careers, flying is one of the least family friendly. With countless missed vacations, school plays, time away from home, inability to tuck my son into bed when I probably should, I cannot "recommend" this career. Planes are cool, wow, fun, yes I like flying, airshows are neat, jet noise is cool, etc etc starry eyed stuff. Recommend the career ? I can't recommend it.

Good luck