I've been on my own for 12 yrs now, once in a while i hook up with a little help, but mostly i'm solo. There's a world of beruacractic baloney that flying alone aviods imho
The downside is how much can you bite off? It's always a juggling act , and there's always attrition
Talk to your peers Mark, they were and still are a great asset to my start...
& good luck
~S~