My .02 cents:
The next 10 years will not be like the last 10 years...hopefully. I was hired in early 99 and sat reserve for 12 years. Could have held a line earlier but did want to commute. Quality of life vs quantity of money.
I had plans to pull the handles at 20 but then 9/11 happened. Then the American Airlines near bankruptcy happened in 2003. Then the age 65 for retirement happened. Then the faux bankruptcy, via financial slight of hand, happened. I stayed in the Reserves as long as possible and left when they said I had to go. I've flown with a lot of former military guys that wish they had done something to qualify for retirement.
That being said, I'll also say that life in the airlines is dealing with a devil you know whose actions are only guaranteed through contract negotiations. Dealing with the AF was dealing with a devil hidden by smoke, mirrors, propaganda, a nebulous moving target regarding performance with vague promises and no guarantees...at all.