The main difference, in my very humble opinion is that 5 years ago if your benefactors cough I mean you couldn't afford it, there was no financial assistance like there is today.
And although you may not believe it, and there are times throughout the previous years when I wished I was in an airline, I would not have traded the experience for a jet/heavy turboprop. I have honestly had a ball! Tedious and frustrating at times, I am a richer person, capable of making command decision, and knowing the consequences first hand of not doing this.
Plus there are things I have done and places I have been that the airline boys would not even dream of doing in their stuff.
I am a little worried for the future of this industry with guys that go straight from flying school to the right hand seat of something. There is no develpment there, no command decision making and no personal and professional development.
Honestly not meant to stir, just my two cents
j3