Not sure about the most direct way to the airlines right now since the entire industry is crumbling, but you should check out MN Aviation in Albert Lea Minnesota. I went there, and they focus on accelerated training. I did my Private through CFI,CFII,and MEI from start to finish in about 5 months.

Doing your training that way will be by far the cheapest and quickest way to get your ratings done. You will spend less money because you are training everyday, there is less time between training events, so you are not spending precious time trying to re learn what you forgot from the week before like at other flight schools.

Who knows how many airline jobs there will be when your done. But at least you will know you spent the least amount as possible while you wait for the industry to turn around. Then you can get a degree online.

Good luck.