The Left Side of Normal Airplanes, The Internet, and Everything Else

The Chicago Tribune, via the Associated Press, is predicting a pilot shortage in the coming years, citing that there are "about 2,500 qualified pilots available for hire in the U.S. today."  Since I don't hold a commercial rating, I'm certainly not counted among that "qualified" group, but I one day hope to be part of that number.  The article cites safety concerns if the airlines are forced to hire less experienced pilots.  One quote has it right when they say that pilots are trained and certified, regardless of their experience, so safety should not be a great issue.  There are some pilots who flaunt the rules and act in a reckless manner, but you will always have those people in any profession, regardless of the industry (look at the abuses of power by police officers, for example).  For me, it's all a matter of time and funding.  I'd love to just drop everything and spend the next three months at ATP eating, sleeping, and flying my way through all of the ratings and flight time required, but it's extremely expensive and I simply cannot afford it.  The passion is there, but the funds aren't.  Any airlines want to finance my flight training in exchange for agreeing to work for you through retirement?