Hey There Prospect,
I can tell you that there is no such thing as an" easy route". Not having a degree and being young (19-30) doesn't sit well with the airlines come interview time. Regionals will hire you without a degree if you have a good resume, a good interview and sim ride. But you must show that you have done something with your life since deciding to be an airline pilot. Speaking from experience, I am 35 and just landed my first airline job in the regionals after a year of instructing. And without a degree, thats the limit, majors require a degree as well as UPS, FEDEX and so on. I do not have a degree, but I did have my own small building company for 10 years and walked away from it to pursue my true passion. I earned my ratings and certificates while running the business and raising a baby. Let me tell you, college is the easy route. If you are determined and disciplined and have something else to offer the airlines to prove you have the ability to handle the workload required then go for it. Otherwise I would pursue your degree and then the sky is the limit for you. For me, after my time in the regionals I will start thinking fractionals. Again, they prefer a degree, but not required if your a (great) pilot candidate.
Hope this gives you some insight from someone without a college degree but knows the importance of having one.