WWFlyBoy,
I went to a high priced flight training program after I got my PVT. The excitement of the career and all the "positives" that I heard from people in addition to the marketing/advertisement is what drove me into the flight training program.
I'm single, 34, and thought the flying gig would be a great career change move. That is, until I graduated CAPT with a HUGE debt, and met with the unpleasantness of the low pay scale and reading all the people on this board who I believe have provided their honest views of the quality of life. Not to mention the poor placement assistance I got from CAPT. Unlike you, I don't have a wife, which to me, would be a great asset since she can get herself a job and provide a level of financial stability. So in your case, you may stand a chance, but DON'T FOOL YOURSELF in thinking that the low pay will get you anywhere. I figured out that in the next 5 years, I can clear close to $500K doing what I was doing vs. the first 5 years as an FO at ASA and Pinnacle and come close to about $130-145K.
My advice to you is, look VERY CAREFULLY over the financials before you get into this game. If you're 23, single, and got no strings, this aviation career would be a great start. But folks like you and me, well, it's a whole different ball of wax.
Someone here mentioned that you get your ratings and then find jobs to time build. It's a good suggestion, but you need to understand the ramifications of that stepping stone as well. Most likely, it won't pay you very well, and it'll be a long time coming before you can build enough hours to even be considered by the airlines. You can be looking at many years at this stepping stone.
Someone else mentioned that you can supplement your salary. While this is true, you have to consider that your schedule is not yours to command. It's the airline's. This means that unless you can find a part time gig with an employer that's going to be cool with you walking out the door as soon as scheduling calls you, you're not likely to find a second job. You could start your own business but again, bear in mind the Bat-Phone phenomenon. Since you said you are a truck driver, I doubt you'll be able to use that as a second job. So if you have another skill that can be used to bring in a second income, take that into consideration as well. You can try to ask around as to what others are doing to have a second income to supplement the criminal pay scale at the regional FO level. I have a feeling you probably won't get too many responses. It's like the "guarded secret" as to how someone can supplement their flying income with something else fearing that you might cut into their slice of the pie. This might be worth a new thread: How are you supplementing your Pilot income? Details only please.
While I'm not discrediting what Express Pilot told you as far as staying focused and positive, that's all good ONCE you made your decision to pursue this career AFTER carefully examining your situation, and what you're about to get yourself into.
Obviously you enjoy flying. I enjoy flying too. But I also enjoy:
* not putting my loan on deferment or forebearance
* being close to friends and family
* more conducive to building meaningful relationships
* live where I want to live
* making a lot more money
* FLY when and where I want to (albeit in a piston light airplane, weather permitting)
* and lots more...
You can't f*ck around at your age with trying to get into the regionals. A hard and expensive lesson I learned. So hopefully, you can benefit from my experiences and not make the mistakes I made. Best regards.