I have VA benefits from the military, so it's a use or lose situation. They will pay for 60% of a type at certain sim centers. Out of pocket expense for a 737 or 757 is less that $4k (not including hotel, food, and rental car). So a $5k investment to possibly land a job with a crew lease company doesn't seem too bad... not ideal, but better than flying 1900s in Montana or Kansas on EAS routes