An airline career here in the US is not what it was.....not even close. The challenges I faced are almost laughable when you look at industry wide loss of wages and benefits. If your young, talented, and without anchors, then you need to look at the global market....there is little logic in sticking around the "homeland". Demand for pilots along the Pacific rim and Middle east is increasing....hope you like curry. Suck it up, do your homework (second language wouldn't hurt either) and you will get there....oh yea, and there will be lean times...you haven't had your last bowl of Top Ramon just yet... the petty "he's getting $3.00 more an hour than me" attitude has to be shelved....nobody likes a winer....least of all the QQ guy at work... that 50-something second tier Chief Pilot with a yearly subscribtion of Rogaine and Cialius and a field general at home pushing him out the door every morning. One thing you have on your side it time...there is nothing more valuable, don't squander itbut be relentless in your persistence. I will wish you "good make" instead of "good luck" because I'm a firm believer that luck has little to do with the outcome. GOOD MAKE!