Jaydubya,
to give you a perspective from here...
Im in asia, in my thirties, and prepared to get out of it.
I have been flying in LCC and now they make copilots to pay (paytofly) whereas it did not even existed in the company before.
As some said, it's really a race to the bottom.
Im not even 50 that I left. I mostly left because I never had a degree and now I learn my own business and some online studies. I learn a real job (never made notes before, calculations, etc).
When I see what's happening now, I really have no doubt that in 5 years or so, it will a lot worse. F/O will pay directly to become captain.
in the near futur, F/O will be student and captain the only pilot paid for the job. I'm 100% about that. We can see some block hours sold (about 1000h). Be prepared for 1500h at eagle jet , and you will get your ATPL. Scary.
Sure you may miss the job its normal. We can not forget our past.
But be aware that you would chose between the heart and the brain.
The heart tells you to come back flying. The brain will tell you to stay where it's more healthty and safer.
You can try to come back, but you will have difficulties. All young pilots I see in my ex airline, they are cadets. Even younger than me.