Never wanted to be a pilot growing up. Took my first lesson at 26, after other pursuits failed. Went to an average university flight program. Graduated with an aviation degree. Got hired 3.5 years after I started at the regional I wanted. Nobody helped pay for anything. If I was going to do it quick, I had to get loans. After deferring the loans for 3 years, I started paying on the grand total of $106k. Do I like my job? Sure. Would I choose this path again? NOPE!

One thing that really bothers me is when other pilots say that we shouldn't do this job for the money, but because you love flying. I agree, there is no money in this anymore, but the airlines will surely deplete your love of aviation. I got into this to have a professional career (respect and money). Boy was I wrong.