Dear wishtobepilot, I think you'd be pushing it to try to get into the cadet program aged 30. (I hope I don't get beaten up for saying this) As said by Kuboto, the sponsoring airline spends a lot of money on each cadet and they'd expect at least the possibility of you staying and working for them for a good few years. Though, I think your post should inspire all of us still young to not give up our aviation dreams! Although you are probably a little old for the cadet program, there is theoretically no reason why you couldn't go overseas, get a licence and start working in GA to get your hours up. But by the time you get your the necessary experience, I wouldn't count on being hired by a major airline, probably a regional though. I think your situation is a perfect example of what I'm trying to say throughout this topic. You want to pursue your dream but you also have a family to worry about. Therefore, your 'dream' is not the only thing you must consider.