How would you recommend getting into this job?

I am in a tough spot right now where I’ve been guaranteed a job but have been waiting a year to start with no real start date in sight. My friend is a flight instructor and told me he thinks I’d be great and love this job, however I haven’t ever heard of it and don’t really know where to start to get into it. I have since learned what the job is but it’s still unclear to me the best next steps to get into the work should I go to an airline or the FAA? What is the pay going to look like and will this be a job that I can have for life?