I am with you dilli. I waitressed and bar tended plenty, and I raked in the dough. I have a GED, I quit school in 9th grade coz I so knew it all. Then I wised up when I couldnt get a job making more than minimum wage. I went to college on a grant, for the first yr, and have so paid back the govt. for that opportunity. then I got hired at UPS pt. 8 yrs, and to go full time I had to drive 75 mi each way, so after my kids graduated I moved closer. The pt was great for me, no way would I want to be a single parent with teen agers working as a driver. And I have always realized I was lucky, but in no way handed the opportunity. And as smug as it sounds, not everyone who thinks they would like to make the money we do, could do the job. I couldnt be an iron worker, even though I like what they make. Or a brain, or heart surgeon.
So for me also, I was in the right place at the right time. I love the job, I just hate what has happened to it, which is a whole nother thread.