The career ebbs and flows. I think you'll see it on the way back up with age 65 ending and the recession ending (hopefully). To be a happy airline pilot, it's best if you love to travel and really enjoy flying as a job.

My career had ups and down for the first ten years. The second ten years have been successful beyond my wildest dreams. YYMV. Ebb and flow.

My feelings about this site is that it's pretty negative. It's an anonymous message board with a bunch of pilots....what do you expect. People, in general, like to complain a lot more than compliment. And you're posting this at the "leaving the career" forum looking for a balanced answer?

In any case, don't forget there are flying jobs outside the airlines. I have a good friend who got the degree, worked his way up through 135 freight and decided to go air ambulance and stay away from the airlines. He's got a great job he likes with decent pay, home a lot, well maintained equipment, and a great schedule.

Lastly, you never really need to "give up on a flying career" just because you go to grad school or whatever. You could give it all to civil engineering and/or go military and still instruct/build time on the side. This would help you to jump back into flying if things turn around to a point you find acceptable. If not, you have a solid backup you can stick with. Like you say, you are young. That's the best thing you have going for you.