Hello fellow aviators, I have always been interested in flying aircraft, even from the early age of 3 (or so my father says). I have recently been seriously pursuing this as a profession, where before it was just a hobby as an enthusiast. I am currently taking a few flight lessons at KSRQ's Cirrus Aviation flight school which is a certified Part 141 school.

Most people I know that share my dream of becoming an ATP usually want to go right for the "big boys", 737's, 757's, ect... I however am thinking a bit differently. I have watched a few "webisodes" from real pilots and also that CNN video about life as a regional pilot. I am considering 3 different approaches to my end goal...

1. Dedicated regional pilot (not moving on to major airlines, sticking with a regional airline until retirement)

2. Corporate Pilot

3. Freighter Pilot


From what I have gathered in my research many pilots pass these fields up to get a piece of the "majors", this leaves vacancies that need to be filled thus making it more promising to start a career in that path. Now from what I understand a starting first officer in a regional position is lucky to make about 20-21K per year for the first couple of years. However I have seen many people state that they made it to PIC (Captain) in 2-3 years and then after about 5 years as PIC you are making good money.

My questions are...

1. What is the pay REALLY like in these respective fields?

2. What are my chances if I apply myself to getting a job as a pilot in one of these fields?

3. Am I stupid for even thinking about this at the age of 28?

Any and all helpful information is greatly appreciated, I am a flight sim nut and like I have said I have always been an enthusiast about aviation. Not to mention when I am flying a C172 for training I feel at home, but that could just be the no-pressure "fun" feeling one might get.


Additional Notes:
I am married, been with my wife now for 11 years (yes we started dating in High School and it has continued WITHOUT interruption). I also have a father who is supportive of my goals so long as they are reasonable and I have done my research properly (hence why I am asking on these forums). I also have a fallback career in IT Hardware Systems, but the thought of a cubicle job drives me nuts, and truth be told many IT jobs pay crap (my best is 18k a year right now). My wife is a middle school mathematics teacher, we have no children at this time and she is very supportive of my goal as well (in fact as a wedding present she bought me a flight lesson).