Matt - the internet is full of articles on the retirement bubble and lack of a large pool of replacement pilots. Right now the industry has never had the large percentage of retirements coming in the next decade. The impact at the bottom end is almost anyone with 1500 hrs is getting a regional airline job. That's the typical stepping stone to the major airlines for someone starting out today. So the faster you get your licenses and ratings the faster you'll get you first job which is usually a flight instructor job. And the more you fly there the sooner you get to 1500 hrs and a regional job. Currently AA has agreements with three of it's wholly owned (WO) regional airlines that guarantees a progression to AA. It's probably a 10 yr (+/-) journey if you get moving. You'll have about a 30 yr career at a major airline which is pretty typical.

First get a first class medical to see if you meet the standards. Then take a couple of intro to flight rides to see if you enjoy it.

Can you get your lessons at an airport where you have free housing(family?)? It's one way to keep your costs down. After that fly your brains out. The pilot puppy mills will get you to your Comm/Inst/CFI/MEL in about a year.