While "becoming an airline pilot" might be your goal, life sometimes leads you in a different direction in aviation. I'm almost 40 now and started flying 20 years ago. I flew the night freight, did the CFI stuff and then the first short recession with the Gulf war happened and I (personally) got into a catch 22 situation. Needed flight time (Multi) to get a job, but needed to fly to get that multi-time. Wound up after a few years off in the right seat of a corporate sabreliner. Then went 135 charter in a learjet. Then on to a fractional, laid-off. Now i've been a simulator/ground school instructor for the last 5 years and i'm burnt!! I do fly contract here and there but my point I guess is that it's all about the decisions you make early on that determines your future. At least you have the internet!