I flew for less than 10 years and now have not touched controls in almost 40 years. I could have gone commercial but do not regret choosing to be something other than a glorified bus driver. I also did not fly privately. In the beginning, that was due to cost amid raising two daughters, but as time went on, it just dropped lower and lower on my "wanna" list. I miss flying, and think of it almost every day. Now, turning 76, I doubt it would be prudent to start again.
More than half of my USAF pilot training class went on to the commercial arena after their military commitment. They all say it was the right choice for them - and it probably was. Their jobs ranged from being a Cessna Citation pilot for AT&T to a 747 captain and almost everything in between.
