Most people who don't know the aviation world are really mis-informed about the industry. They think it's all glamour and roses! I chose the maintenance field, because I really didn't want to spend the majority of my life in hotel rooms or worrying about my next layoff (as much). I'm a proud mechanic that really does feel for the pilot profession. I did start out at a regional airline, but I was home every day, but managed to squeak out over 30k my first year. I vividly remember talking to a RJ pilot one morning at the hangar, and when he told me he went to college at NYU and was making around 20k as a FO, I was shocked. He gained my respect by doing what he loved to do. Life is good now, but it only took me a few years to get a great job (Purple Tail). Good luck to all pilots waiting on their chance for a better life.