Originally Posted by
ZBowFlyz
DON'T DO IT!!!
...But I know you won't listen, so if you must, scrap the atp idea and get your Commercial Multi at the local FBO. You will save around 35 grand. Then apply at Lakes as a 135 Beech 1900 FO. Maybe Cape Air but Lakes would be better.
A year or so of that and you'll have ATP mins. Far less debt. And a good idea of what a life in aviation is all about.
One year after that you'll be hunting a job that requires a Biology degree but instead of having 150K in student loans you'll have 35K.
I know you are young and you will think I'm wrong, but you won't be young for much longer. If you end up married or have a kid or something then home time and pay WILL matter. Once life happens you might not be able to pack up and move to your base. I don't care what anyone says, the fact is you don't know (no one does) what life has in store. If you want to get into this mess then do it right. The biggest concern is debt. Get your ratings as cheap as you can and if you want an airline job go to lakes or cape air. This will give you operational experience, the knowledge of whether or not you can sustain these "beatings" and the opportunity to walk away if you need to.
/$.02
zbowflyz paints a realistic picture of life getting to the regional airlines so do give it more thought. I whole heartedly agree with not taking on a boatload of debt.
The other thing I wanted to mention is your time line target is extremely aggressive, possibly too aggressive. You are proposing 1500 hour ATP mins in 2.5 years? That would be 47 hours per month of flying starting now.
Also, something to keep in mind is the school that you give your money to so you can learn to fly may be the same place that gives you your first job as a flight instructor.