Of couse it can be deadly and expensive, but if you're not careful, sex can be those too.

Ninja, I feel for you. I'd be disgrutled if I were in the same boat you're in right now as well. CAPT gave you a bogus deal and unfortunately there are too many of you guys out there getting screwed by dishonest advertising and dishonest people. It's not right, and I really respect you for sharing your story on here. I really hope things work out for you.

I've been lucky. My jobs afforded me a lot of advice from veterans of the industry, I've worked at an FBO, and a bicycle shop near STL where much of our customer base was employed by TWA. My eyes were opened to the ugly side pretty quickly. I've seen firsthand what a buyout can do to the guys on the loosing side, I even lost a job as a result of it ($2000 bikes suddenly become an unimportant luxury when you can't put food on the table). I didn't know how much pilots made when I started training, and now I'm even happier that it wasn't the reason for this career path.

The only way I have afforded this is by sacrificing, and choosing a school where my flight training cost the same as any other degree. My parents aren't wealthy, in fact they're quite the opposite. I work a ton of hours every week but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have loans but they're managable. I won't be driving a nice new car anytime soon, or taking extravagant vacations but I know I'll make ends meet that's all that matters. I could make ends meet on less than I'm making now, I just haven't changed my lifestyle and have no intentions on doing that in the near future.

I've been offered management positions with the company that I currently work for at their ground handling stations. I'd have security, and a respectable salary, but I'd be looking at the ramp wishing I was that guy looking out from the front seat.