Before I started flying, I dreamed about the whole airline flying thing, you know flying a 747, the uniform, the glamor. Needless to say, now I realize how difficult it is to get into a 747. How much hard work, time, money, sacrifices, and ups and downs in your life that you will have to experience before you get into a 747? (I am using "747" as a mere example). I have been flying for almost an year, and I am learning something new everyday. Funny thing is that I have stopped dreaming of that 747 now, but I am just mostly looking forward to the next time I hop into that 172, because I know that it is going to take a lot of hard work prior to preparing for my next flight. Because I am so "busy" thinking of the next flight and trying to make it as successful as I possibly can, I really have no time to worry about the 747 dream. My point is, that you need to be focused on the task at hand. For an example, if you are working on your PPL, work on it hard, and make sure you build some good habits to take with you in the future. How can you make such a decision based on cockpit videos or flight sims? Sorry, but it doesn't make any sense to me at all. It is one thing to have a goal in life, but it is not at all productive to think of something so far ahead. I am not sure if you made the right decision here. But if you are strongly sure that airline flying isn't for you, then you might be right. As for me, I love my office job because it pays for me to fly, but definitely not something I would want to do for the rest of my life. Yes, it would take me a heck of lot of time, money, etc. but it is about the romance and hope I make it someday.