daredevil, I think you have a rather optimistic view of the potential career length of ex-military pilots. WW2 finished 58 years ago. Even Vietnam ended over 30 years ago. There will be a very few ex-Vietnam pilots still employed in the airlines, but I doubt you'll find any ex-Korea and definitely no ex-WW2 pilots flying commercially!
As for the industry, it is and has always been cyclic around a long term trend of growth. Asia, the Pacific and Africa still have huge potential for growth, but evidence is beginning to suggest that political and environmental issues will limit the potential growth in Europe and North America.
Leviatan, before you commit yourself and a great deal of money to obtaining a commercial licence, make sure that you like flying as much as you think you're going to - take a couple of trial lessons. Get your Class One medical. And never forget that it's very, very easy to find yourself jobless in this game. So go in with your eyes open and your expectations realistic.
Scroggs