Something in this industry has gotta give. . . . . Of note - down at the local airfield, a CFI had told me that they have noticed fewer upstarts of the younger career oriented airman type. . . . he had said that today's flight students seem to consist more of older empty nester's, who have always wanted to learn to fly but now have the time/money.
I recall jumpseating on AAL -JFK / LAX a few months ago. There was a young American Eagle pilot that was also riding, but on a pass. Before boarding, the Eagle pilot had exclaimed to me in excitement that he would soon be eligible for his dream - mainline AAL pilot employment. Later, after taking my jumpseat in the cockpit, the ship's Captain had exclaimed to me that he was disgusted with the degradation of his job and was anxiously awaiting retirement in four months. If it wasn't for his mortgage, he would have gladly retired earlier. . . . . I could only think of the irony of the young kid sitting twelve rows back, who could hardly wait to take a job that the Captain didn't even want anymore!