Not too late, I started flying when I was 27. Had my CPL 3 years this month and I am only about to crack 1000 hours - been a slow road, and I've been employed full time as a pilot! Personal experience may vary...
I would take a dump truck of salt with the statement "2 to 5 years to airline". There are ways and means, but saying "7-8 years ago that was the case" doesn't help now. All my mates are in the same jobs, flying the same aircraft (with a few exceptions) as they were 2 years ago. All full-time employed too.
That's not to say it won't happen, everyone seems to have that carrot dangling in front that it's about to get better. In my experience it wasn't hard to find my first and second jobs, but making the step from VFR single to anything more complex is really tough at the moment. If you can get a job, stick with it!
There are options overseas. Some are better than others. But don't pay to fly.