You didn't mean "you're," the contraction of "you are" did you? Man, this attitude displayed is why furloughed guys have that "pilot" label wrapped around them with the negative connotation. Always willing to give an opinion without paying attention to the details.

The original poster can get where he wants to go in the time frame he wants if he works hard, networks relentlessly and enjoys a little luck. I was not hired at a regional until age 26, but had an opportunity to interview at a rapidly expanding LCC at age 28. Unfortunately I did not due to some conflicts. I then got comfortable for a few years, got on with a great company with 15 days off a month from the start, 2008 happened and my supposedly "fast upgrade" turned into a furlough. That was at age 35. I am now 38 and hired recently by a major that still has decent expansion plans. The point is I chose my path.

As an example, thousands of pilots have made good career moves in the last decade by choosing places like Jet Blue, Virgin America, AirTran, and Delta. It appears now that United and Continental may not have been bad moves. Anyone who went to NetJets before 2005 has made out like a bandit. As always, Southwest is a great company to work for even though their growth appears to be stagnating.

There is always opportunity somewhere in aviation. The main mistake pilots make is thinking that the airline with the best deal and working conditions will always be the best. History of the industry shows differently. While it is a gamble, getting hired by the airline with a decent wage scale and decent work rules and room to expand their market share will make for a richer and better QOL over the career of a pilot. He may make 15% less top out rate for equipment, but he got that 60% raise making left seat in half the time and reaped the seniority awards of better schedules to go with that money.

Always look for the clear spaces. It is a rare occasion the radar screen is red in all directions.