Go the ATC route
Meg,
Forget about the whole flying thing. I'm sure you have some very ligit reason for wanting to go the the majors, but it's a whole new world out there. If I were much younger, I'd be all over the ATC thing. Decent pay, excellent retirement and a lot fewer hassles. You can always get your Commercial and Instrument ratings (the Instrument is always useful, and the Commercial might provide some sense of pride), but you don't really need them to go the ATC route. PM me if you want any further info... I flew for a major for a long time.
Fools & Horses