Don't sweat being 26 and still trying to get your CFI ride done. It took me over 6 months to do my CFI because of weather in Chicago--that was very frustrating especially so since I was unemployed at the time. One of my classmates from college who is younger then me is a 747 FO for Cathay Pacific and I am 27 and a mere CRJ FO reserve. Your goal should be "work my butt off and make it to the majors by 35," That gives you 30 years of flying at that level. Work hard to reach that goal and someday you will enjoy being a captain on the biggest metal your airline will by flying when you get there.