I'll bite since I'm currently going through this process:
I'm 28 years old and I earned my Private VFR back in 2007 at a local FBO... Some instructors I've had came from ATP, others from Flight Safety, others from UND... It is an awesome FBO with new planes, but very pricey. After getting my ticket, I maybe took a handful of flights before life threw curve-balls at me and I stopped flying for a while.
So fast forward through the recession, and after years of agonizing over this, and fighting with the FAA for my unrestricted medical, I've managed to build a solid IT career and finished my BS degree (paid for in part by my company, and Obama's student tax credits, the remaining 5/8's by me)... Then one day I decided to throw it all away, quit my job (gave them a months notice), and go to ATP. Going to college full time while working full time, AND other negative life events really put a hurt on my brain, my well-being, my confidence, etc... So I made a rash decision because I wasn't thinking clearly. I must have moved 5 times during those 3 years, and lost my remaining grandparents and it was all around just a rough time. So anyway, they (ATP) put on a good show for the presentation, which helped me step off the ledge. I moved into a bedroom of a house owned by a real weirdo nearby the airport, and it took about 2 days before I realized what I have done, and quit. Luckily, my boss of 6 years gave me my IT job back.
At ATP I did manage to do my first ever long flight to build time in the 172 before moving to the twin... It was like 3.5 each way.. That day I felt sick so the back and forth really made me wonder what I had gotten into even more so... Combine that with an upset stomach from being nervous, and it was a bad day. So for weeks after I quit ATP (while working at my job) I simply felt defeated and like I didn't give it enough of a chance. All I could think about was how horrible that flight was, yet how awesome it was at the same time. My first "actual" IMC, my first flight over 150nm, my first actual multi-state flight at the controls, and how quickly I got the hang of it again, after not flying for years... So I decided to give the self paced program a try. Weekends and some nights is the schedule, and they pressure you to get that time in, even though it's "self paced". I missed a day and needed a doctors note or be charged.. they even hassle me about making sure I have 10 days on the availability schedule, and I'm thinking "Are you forgetting who the customer is here, and who is paying you all of this money?" Basically I wake up on weekends after working all week STRESSED OUT over having to go fly or do a sim session that day. It doesn't help that it is almost an hour drive each way, through bad traffic. Anyway, I got my Multi PVT there, nervous as hell I was gonna fail the checkride because of how fast everything moved, but had my best flight ever that day.. It was a good experience, and a good confidence booster for me. Now I am progressing through the IFR stuff, and loving everything but the cost and commute. I've already had an ILS to minimums (actual), flew some awesome approaches, partial panel, single engine, you name it. It's a GREAT place to learn to fly... but.. just too far away from me, and too much pressure to get everything done in a certain amount of time. It takes the fun and freedom out of it. It feels like a chore now, instead of something I want to do. So I am going back to FBO style training (20 miles from home instead of 50), and single engine planes... 450 an hour is basically what they charge dual at ATP for the Seminole and I simply can't justify that at this time. Also if I want a weekend off, now I can take a weekend off. I understand what ATP is trying to accomplish, and that is keeping you going, and current, but with my job commitment, and the long commute, I can't do it anymore. The young age of everyone is also a factor I have trouble with... Most people (instructors included) there are in their early 20's, some students under 20 even. I'm just not on the same wavelength anymore, and at FBO's I've noticed most instructors are my age or older... which makes me much more comfortable, and we have more in common. That's a big part of it to me. The race now is to 1500 TT, not 200 ME and 500 TT or less.. So I say what's the point of spending a boatload on a twin in the beginning? Also what's the point of rushing to a job that pays less than 30k a year? This works for me of course, since I am making good money at my IT job. I just want to fly, and to keep learning and enjoying it.. It doesn't have to be in a big jet any time soon.. if ever. Maybe if they start paying what people deserve, then I'll make the jump, but until then I like having my options open.. So consider that in your FBO vs ATP choice... for me, the distance and cost makes the FBO the better choice, so that's what I'm in the process of switching back to. Also I'm done with loans.. I will be able to pay as I go for this... so it won't haunt me for the next 12+ years. Debt is a bad feeling and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Rod Mochado does a great job of summing it up here:
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