It is natural human behavior to justify one's chosen path. Skyhigh's posts, even those reposted by de757ups still ring mostly true unless one chooses not to believe them.

And ups' posts make good sense too. However, they are from the viewpoint of one who made it through - largely due to luck.

Perhaps the truth lies in the middle.

I've got a good SWA captain friend who I've known for years. Got into flying around age 30 after working for Black and Decker for a number of years in a non flying job. Basically got ratings, flew in England for a while primarily in the corporate world, then got on with SWA during the ramp up period (right place/right time) and is topping 200k now.

My attempt led to furlough after 18 months on the job with no hope of funding my family for the next many years. He'll be the first to tell me (and has done so) that one's ultimate fate is heavily weighted in the luck department.