you will need a 4 year degree, and do yourself a favor and don't even think on an aviation degree, they should not be called degrees.
also, note that "cargo pilots" landed those jobs and took them, but they could have just landed passenger jobs and take them too, is just luck ( or lack off) the draw.so don't be tunnel vision on cargo. besides you will have to have for the commuter for a few years before.
I am assuming that by cargo job you are refering to ups, fdx ,astar or abx....every single proffesional pilot out there who doesn't work for them or for a mayor wants to work for them , specially fdx and ups ( and a lot of pilots employed by mayors wished they worked for them too).
you are worried about outsoucing.............so are we, not just about the main line flying going to regionals, but also foreing ownership, wich this administration is dying to approve. talk to any merchant marine and he can tell you all about how foreing ownership has screw things up for them.
finally, don't do it. really, go be a dentist or a PA and then buy your own plane. you are still at least 8 years away from an interview with a mayor and thing will probably get worse ( in terms of quality of life , pay and benefits).
don't do it.