Son wants to be a pilot

[Jer_1974]

I did a search but came up with a thread from 2006. My 19-year-old son decided uni was not for him and is currently working 50+ hours in a pub and really enjoying it. He has decided he wants to become a pilot and we have a meeting with a flight school next week. Can someone in the industry give me a realistic picture of the industry at present? He was studying architecture and we were prepared to pay for his study and living fees over the seven-year course. Realistically if we pay a ballpark figure of £80 to £100k how hard will it be in a few years to progress into being a first officer?

[Jer_1974]

Thanks for all the comprehensive responses and yes Monty I got your PM. It's I have passed all of them on to him.