If you love flying and have the money? Start your training. Buy a plane when you’re sure you love it. Keep chipping away at your ratings, time and money permitting. Enjoy it, do it for fun. Having your own plane is great, and if it’s a reasonable airplane like a 172 (and you fly often) it’ll save you some money in many parts of the country.

Down the line, if the airlines are doing well and you still really want to do it? Consider making the jump.

That all said, I wouldn’t put eggs in the airline pilot basket until all this looks like it’s sorting itself out. I was ready to go to a regional when this hit, and got caught with my pants down. My plan is to press forward with an alternate career while this runs its course, flying when I can. When things look better, I’ll consider the airlines.

Looks like you’ve got options right now. Options are good, keep them open.