ouch, thats a lot of money and cockpit time. Still, I assume that ATC pays very well and keeps him in the loop, so to speak? must still be frustrating for him...
Yeah thats the problem, now he has a career with NATS it pays quite well and I imagine it would be a drop to get into the pilot game. But yes as you say they are a close nit circle so if he can find the right company it might be worth the drop in the long run.