Hello all,

This is as good a time as any to introduce myself and ask a few questions. First and foremost my name is Jay and I am a MASSIVE aviation addict. I'm 45 years old and have been an aviation nut since I was around 10 (maybe even younger because I've always looked to the skies) and have flown as a passenger on numerous airliners. As a pilot, I'm a student with roughly 18 hours and have flown a Cessna 172, Beech Musketeer (My CFI wanted me to fly with a friend of his and try out the plane), a Piper Warrior, and I had the opportunity to fly a Stearman (I didn't do the takeoff or landing but it was an AMAZING experience to have the controls of a plane like that).
In addition to real world flying, I've done hundreds of hours on a PC flight simulator (I know, I know but you work with what you can afford) to help stay as proficient as possible with the takeoffs, landings, etc.
With the intro out of the way, here are my major problems: I'm 45 years old and I know that I have a somewhat limited time frame on being able to go pro. To make it worse, my credit sucks and getting the kind of necessary financing is like trying to crack the Hoover Dam with a toothpick. I'm taking the steps needed to help repair my credit but in the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone knows of some good programs (grants, etc) that can be used to assist with the financing.
Here's the other major question: Let's say I get my 250 hours with my private (obviously), Instrument, Multi-engine out of the way and I get my commercial certificate, what kind of pay can I reasonably expect? Don't get me wrong; I know that there are some low paying jobs to help with hour building in addition to the CFI (which I will definitely pursue) but the question stands. What kind of money can I reasonably expect?
Also, do the regional airlines like Mesa, Skywest, etc. offer pensions if someone stays with them up to age 65? What about with the majors? Do they still have pensions? If I was to fly for a major carrier (Southwest for example), do they even have a pension for pilots that fly 15 years or less with them?
Any help is greatly appreciated with these questions.