I have worked for a major airline for 36 years and have flown the industry through it's highs and lows, including 5 1/2 years of cumlative furloughs. My advice to a good number of FO's and Capt's who have had sons and daughter's interested in aviation as a career is to have a degree or an occupation in something unrelated to aviation. When the industry takes yet another downturn and you get DUIed,fired, layed off, furloughed, or quit in disgust (tired of those 4 hour standup layovers sleeping in a jetway) you must have a fall back. A degree in Engineering, Education, an Apprenticeship in IBEW, Pipefitters, or Carpenters union...... The Coglins and Mesas of the industry will treat you poorly at best. Job security in this occupation, even with the majors, is a myth. So take your or your families hard earned $ and knock out your ratings at a Part 141 or Part 61 school, get back into college and finish your degree(s), pony up more $ for SIC training at Flight Safety and go out and live the dream/nightmare (your choice). That is what my 20 year old with her Private is doing right now.