I can't offer much that hasn't already been said. On the airline level the job has been mostly guttted of anything resembling a job worth having. Personally I think you are totally nuts to head down the pilot road but in the end, seems like you need to see if for yourself so if you must, here is my take.

I have had some great jobs and loads of fun on the journey towards my current major airline job. Flying in many corners of the world in little airplanes, the classic Twin Beech, a loud gas guzzling jurasic jet, flying for a celebrity, being a crop duster, flying for a regional in the most amazing part of the country, living and flying overseas. Now I work for a major and although I don't quite hate it, it is definitely the worst flying job I've had.
Point is, find what works for you and don't get too wrapped up in looking to the next big gig. Only work for companies with values you share (ie, treating people well, common sense, fair pay, adventure, respect, planning for the future) and don't get swept up with the shiney jet thing and you have a better chance of finding your zen.

I read this little story once and I'll paraphrase....
Guy is flying out of a grass strip in his Cub. It's hot, sweaty, loud, he sees a 737 contrail overhead...thinks to himself, "that has got to be the job there, jet engines, air conditioning, flight attendants, a real sweet ride. I can't wait to fly a jet.

The 737 is encountering moderate turbulence and the pilots are busy reading their contract to determine the legality of flying this, the 3rd long day in as many, the passengers are vomitting and the FA's refuse to feed them. The CA looks out the window and see's the Concorde gliding overhead and says, now that's what we need to be doing, 3 hours to LHR, above the weather at Mach 2. What a sweet ride.

The radiation detector is malfunctioning and the temperature of the wing is about to exceed limits. It's the 5th atlantic crossing in as many days for the crew and they.....the CA looks out the window and sees the space shuttle quietly gliding overhead. He says to the crew, now that is the job to have....

The astronauts are looking out the window with a telescope at the earth passing below and one sees a Piper Cub landing on a grass strip. Says to the mission commander, man, remember when we just flew a cub around our back yard.....