Originally Posted by LodyDivots

SkyHigh is correct.

If you are lucky you'll spend no more than $30-$40K to earn your flight ratings. Most people will spend significantly more. Add into that the cost of college and people are spending upwards of $100K or more to pursue a job that will pay them $20K. Is it really worth it? Many hold on to the hope that one day they will move up and fly for a major airline. For some they will achieve that. For the many they will never achieve that. The question one has to ask is is it worth it to spend that amount of money for a career when you can become a city bus driver have similar income potential and not be in debt.

There is nothing wrong with pursuing a passion and there is nothing wrong with enjoying flying. At some point it becomes much more than that. At some point the moment of being proud of the airplane you fly and being proud of what you do will wear off. Then you are left with a mortgage and a family to feed. Will it really be worth it? There will be people who will go on to have great success in aviation but the reality is that many if not most will struggle for the rest of their lives for passion they could easily fulfill on their own during the weekends without making it a career.