Why waste 4 years in college when you could just go to ATP and be assured of a job at the end?
Because WHEN you get furloughed (notice I said WHEN, not IF), then you will at least have a backup to fall on.
I think in
todays environment (post 9/11), you'd be an idiot to spend $150k+ at ERAU to get all your certs/ratings, and a BS in Aviation Science (which is a true "BS" degree to begin with, as in Bull******), because you won't get any real decent paying jobs with that degree.
Why spend that much when you can go to another college, get a good non-aviation degree (as your backup), and then get all your certs/ratings at a local FBO?
It'll be a lot cheaper and you will be happier with your good backup degree.