Making $100k as a regional captain is great. It's the 10-15 years of student loans and being an fo living on oatmeal doing 4 day trips that sucks.

I dare anyone to look up how much flight training costs now. I guarantee you'll be shocked. If you're creative and willing to have it take 10 years, $40k might do it. Otherwise good luck coming in under $100k.

As has been said, I got into this job for pay and QOL. Financially it has not paid off. QOL is marginal. Did I make the right decision? Do I have any spare $ or time to pursue something else, no. Look we all love flying, but we need to make a respectable wage also. I shouldn't be responsible for peoples lives then come home and envy the lifestyle of my neighbor the cabinet maker.