Wasn't anywhere near that long ago. I remember milk delivery as a little kid, but gas was $1.25. Actually the milk was a specialty thing, Mom was into health food... most folks just bought it at the store.

Mathematically, on average if 60% of pilots are CA's and the average pilot gets hired at 30, upgrade should take 14 years. That would be an average over time if retirements were consistent and everybody took the first available (they don't but the majority do in normal times).

1-2 year major upgrades are an historical anomaly, enjoy it while you can.