If you're young, consider military reserves/guard. The pay rises significantly over time, and there are no schedule conflicts between your military and airline job (you simply tell the airline when you're going, and then you leave). You also get a modest retirement, which you will not get at most airlines.

It usually works out that when the airline business is down, the military businsess is good...terror, oil prices, and economic downturns tend to result in invasions.

Actually on a serious note, there is some consideration being given to revamping the military retirement system, basically reducing benefits. If you have an interest, I would say go ahead and get started because anyone who is already in will be grandfathered into the old system. Personally I doubt they will actually change much because all the reservists would quit, and they can't really do without us now.