Disagree. It is entirely possible to deal with this occupation purely as a job; a way of paying bills. Not a lifelong love, but merely an activity to put food on the table and keep a roof over my head.

If your outside interests include aviation, more power to you. Personally if I never see an airplane or airport while I'm on days off or vacation it's better. My job will never define me.

Maybe I went wrong somewhere (Military, Airlines), but this became a chore pretty rapidly. I'm too old, too stupid, and not interested or motivated to do anything else.