Now I've never flown a plane in my life come to think of it, so take what I'm about to say with a few grains of salt..heck make it a TBL spoon to be on the safe side of things. I can't directly comment on any point being discussed on this topic by polar opposites with their pro/con pilot stories. I am however somewhat of a professional people reader having my university advanced degree in clinical psychology and psychoanalysis....and I did stay in the holiday inn express last night. As someone about to turn 30 who has often looked in the proverbial toy shop window for a possible career in aviation as a commercial airline pilot, I have to say I do appreciate the diversity of everyone's viewpoints on this forum. Speaking solely as an aspiring pilot (most likely as a hobbiest, don't worry SkyHigh) I have gleaned many helpful industry insites from reading the various topics and vivacious bantering between winged pilots and those who have been subsequently clipped.
For what it is worth SkyHigh, I'm sorry you have had to make the decission to change careers away from something you obviously loved doing. Nothing is without its fair share of problems and risks to be sure. The motivations behind your leaving Horizon were justified because you clearly thought it over and made a decission you felt was the right thing to do at the time. You did what you thought was right..that should be enough for anyone. It doesn't mean you are not allowed to regret it later in life. We all regret things in life, the missed opportunities, the one that got away, or making a sacrafice. If I may use a simple analogy that works for some of us. Imagine for a moment that you are training as an athlete for a big race. You walk down to the starting line and see the other runners. They are in good shape and you start thinking you are going to loose the race. At this point people tend to act differently as to what to do next. There are those who will go Ballz-out and run the race and maybe fail terribly and there are those who will walk off the field before the pistel goes off. Why? Because it is only human nature to justify quiting rather than risk failure. It is easier to shallow because the image of our dreams has yet to be tarnished. But it often results in regret later in life. If we might remember the words of Robert Kennedy " Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly". (somewhat easier said than done when you have a silver spoon in your mouth..but regardless). Maybe that is why you live vicariously on this forum with your honest and comendable intentions to inform others of your view towards the industry. I think you would argue your veiws are accurate. Others see them as negative. Maybe both are right. It may be a way to project your regret of making that painful decission some time ago. I'm not hear to judge anyone. You left because you felt your responsibilites as a husband and father would be better served from an alternative career. There is no shame in that and I think we all should consider the sacrifice SkyHigh has made for his family and commend him for it.
At the same time I'm glad to see pilots who are still happy doing what they love. It is crutial for a young person to see both sides of this issue and are then left alone to make their own minds up as to whether to pursue a career as a pilot or not. Keep up the good discussion it does help people.
Jes