Yeah yeah yeah.... the second year your salary will increase dramatically. Oh, but you might end up at that first year pay multiple times. I've been at the first year pay of smaller airlines twice already and am now in my 30s and will most likely be starting a new job at $25,000/yr for the third time. This is not uncommon.

My savings? Non-existent. My school debt? Very existent.

Be a pilot they said. It'll be great they said. Live your dream they said.