Hmm, I will reiterate what others have said about taking your time, DO IT, dont rush. Your at zero debt right now, I envy you. Being envied is good, being in debt 48K is bad.

It seems to me like your a smart kid, you already got your degree and a marketable skill w/ the A&P, your in a really good spot right now. You feel bad or "disheartened" because reality is setting in. With that said you would have fun as an airline pilot, it is also perhaps the most expensive fun you can have, and its not as much fun as you think. My advice(and I know how you feel) get a job at an FBO as an A&P and slowly get you PPL there. Dont worry about being promised a job as a CFI because its worthless w/o students. What skyhigh said about buying a plane is a killer idea too. Just go slow dude, you jump in and all of a sudden the water is cold and you want to get out, and thats why so manny people "hate" this gig, they are commited finacially. You go slow, and dont go slow for awhile then go fast. Just work and fly a little you got plent of time my friend.