First off, you are not too old but I hope your wife has a good job (you obviously did not collect a navy retirement).

The reality is that it is hard to get your flight experience without working as an instructor. You are not the only one who would just as soon skip that step, and you will be competing with all the other low timers for the few non-CFI entry-level jobs.

The odds of even finding such a job are low, but it can be done. Networking, persistence, and a willingness to relocate anywhere will be key. Keep in mind that you will eventually need multi-engine time and IFR time to move up into turbine flying.

More food for thought...regional interviews are geared for CFI's. That means that you will have to study even harder to get your commercial knowledge up to par when the time comes. Knowledge that is used daily by a CFI is usually long-forgotten by a COMM ASEL.

But again, CFI is probably the quickest route, which is why so many folks do it.