Historically speaking, those entering training at downturns are generally well positioned once they finish and start moving up through the ranks, due to growth on the other side.

I knew guys who in 2003-2004 finally bailed from their CFI gigs. A few years later I was sitting in the left seat of an RJ, but back then the future looked bleak.

Same thing in 2008-2009, people, bailed to become nurses or lawyers or whatever. Guess what, in 2010 the regionals started picking up and by 2012 you could write your own check to whichever company you wanted to go to and a few years later bonuses were raining down with some of the most hiring at the majors in decades.

2014 saw the highest growth in air travel in modern history. Had you started training in 2008, you'd probably be sitting at a major right now.