I never thought about how much dental hygenists make but my dentist is an early bird who opens his office at 7 AM. His hygenist lives in New Orleans and makes the drive every day to Baton Rouge. Must be worth it. As far a commercial pilot wouldn't you have to spend a whole lot of money for flight school? If you're not a terrorist you would want to learn to land and take off as well as control the aircraft while in flight.
It does, however many people become CFI's and teach flying which gives them the flying time needed. A lot of people luck into some good flying gigs and save for type ratings to be earned later.
