Originally Posted by aerospacepilot

Rickdb,

I wanted to comment on the current hiring window. You seem to be afraid that it will stop sometime soon. That is false. I want to dispell the rumor that this hiring window will stop anytime this DECADE!! Think about it. Right now all the regionals are hurting for pilots. Yet only 2 of the 6 legacy airlines are hiring! Just 2 of them. (United, Northwest, and US Air are gearing up to hire, but I don't believe they have started any classes, maybe United has, no one else). Imagine what happens when American, United, Northwest, and US Air begin to hire (in a few months, about 1.5 years for American). American and United are the world's largest airlines, and they are not hiring. Also, none of the legacy carriers are expanding. Air Travel is expected to double in by 2020. The legacy carriers will need to expand and then hiring will be amplified! Check out this link to my pilot shortage thread. Lots of good facts.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...ad.php?t=12901

Trust me. Don't worry about the hiring window closing on you. It will not close anytime this decade. Only a few of the majors are hiring, and there is currently a shortage. Imagine what will happen when they ALL start hiring in one year, and then expanding. Do not let this fear play into your decision. As some famous jedi once said, "Fear leads to the dark side." Don't let fear affect your decision! You will still be around for this hiring window. It is not going away any time soon. Don't waste $64,000 on training at ATP, when you can get the same training at a local FBO for about $35,000. Just look around a little bit.
Good luck.