-I understand that this thread does not completely fit within this subforum, and for that I apologize. However, if not here, I don't know where else.-

I'm fifteen, and in two days I will begin flight lessons that will reportedly be as frequent as "three to four times per week until you finish high school". I'm not completely clear on how licenses/certifications/ratings work, but I have a general picture. That general picture tells me that I could have my PPL, CFL, IR, CFI/I and have 500+ hours by eighteen. I don't know how the MEI fits into the picture, but I do know that I'm not eligible for the ATP until 23. (two to emphasize my disappointment)


Does having all of that for five years make a difference in my eligibility at twenty three to be picked up by a regional carrier?

How many years could I expect to wait from my ATP at twenty three to being picked up by a major airline?

How far would a good reference (say, a dad's friends or contacts or a dad of a good friend) go?

Will this career path even be worth taking in seven years?