The Golden years are a myth. Unless maybe you are talking about the 50s and 60s.......certainly since the 70s..... for various reasons aviation is what it is. A good career for many...not all. Has my career taken the path that I thought it would 28 years ago when I got started...NO.... but most haven't...there are extreme examples on both sides of this career.....Most fall in the middle somewhere....kinda like the bell curve of aviation. I know guys who were in the right place at the right time ....spent 5 years in the right seat then the next 25 as a CA at a Major... I also know guys hired at the same time at a different carrier who spent 15 years riding sideways... then another 10 in the right seat who at 55 finally upgraded to narrow body domestic CA for the last 5 of his career. Timing and luck play a huge factor in this industry... its the way it is now... and will be forever.