Remember that this is not the job it used to be but it is still a respectable one. In the end, if you make it to retirement, you'll realize that it's all luck. There is a bell curve and on that curve there are the lucky ones who are current mainline Captains who have had solid careers and on the other side there are those who have been furloughed 3 times and haven't make more than $40K/yr as they bounced between carriers. I wish you the best but it's truly all just dumb luck and your future position on the curve is currently unknown.

As for the retirements, take a look at this thread. It only shows the schedule for DAL (includes NWA), UAL, CAL and AA but you can see the yearly retirement numbers.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ma...-schedule.html

Also, when and if you start training for your future in aviation, take ownership of your choice. You are the only one who is truly responsible for your future so if you fail it’s no one else’s fault but your own. Be very picky about your flight school (many have failed and ran off with their students money, JetUniversity and Makarion come to mind) and your airline.

Here’s another link for you:
Mistakes
or
Potential

LOL! God those crack me up.

Also have you ever heard the quote, "I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate." .............George Burns................RIP!