Originally Posted by BeardedFlyer

If an individual with at least average intelligence (maybe a little above) studies and learns as much as much he/she can on their own from FAA handbooks and home study guides without listening to a CFI merely repeat everything those books say at a $40 hr rate the ratings don't have to cost over 30k. I'd say most would find the estimations below fairly accurate if a student has enough determination. Prices below are current at my local airport (Pearson field in Vancouver, WA- KVUO):

PPL
C-152 for 40hrs @ $67hr wet = $2680.
CFI for 30hrs @ $40hr = $1200
books, written test, chk ride, flight supplies = approx $800
TOTAL = $4680

Instrument
C-172 for 30hrs @ 97hr wet = $2910
PCATD flight sim for 10hrs @ $20hr = $200
CFII for 25hrs* (15 in flight, 10 on the sim) at $40 = $1000

*Split the 30hrs with another inst. student. Each act as safety pilot for the other so you can each log simulated instrument without paying a CFII.

Microsoft flight simulator - unlimited hrs = $20 at Wal mart.
written test, chk ride, flight supplies = $700
TOTAL = $4830

Commercial

At this point you have 80TT and need 170 more for a comm.

160hrs in the 152 (include in this time the X-C reqs for the comm and try to get the commercial maneuvers down as well as you can on your own without a CFI to reduce instruction time) - $10,720

10 hrs in Piper Arrow @ 120hr = $1200
5hrs with CFI @ 40hr = $200
written, chk ride, flight supplies = 700
TOTAL = 12,820

CFI

10hrs with CFI = $400
10hrs in 152 = $670
two writtens (FOI and FIA) = $300
chk ride = $0
Total = $1370

MEI

20hrs in Twin Comanche at $230hr wet = $4600
23 hrs with MEI @ 45hr = $1035
chk ride = $400
TOTAL = $6035


GRAND TOTAL = $29,735

$23,000 was a bit of a stretch. Realistically this might be tough for most to pull off but it can be done. I'll agree with the rest of Cubdriver's last post.

With no degree you will be stuck at a regional but even that's not so horrible. Making 100k in your 40's (if you were hired in your 20's) is not bad at all in my opinion plus by the time you're that senior you will have any schedule you want. But again, I know nothing about the engineering field so I am in no position to say which choice would be better right now. All I can say is that I don't think pursuing an airline career is as crazy as most on here seem to make it out to be.