Pilots,

Huge post!

I'm currently active duty Army, about to transition out within 5 months. I hold a PPL ASEL certificate with 110hrs, 33 years old with a wife and two kids. I'm able to maintain a Class 1 medical rather easily. I'm trying to decide how I want to continue my flight training. I'm going to post my two scenarios based on my ultimate goal as to fly commercial whether that's corporate or Airlines. Preferably airlines.

1st Scenario:

The local flight school I obtained my PPL with has extremely affordable rates for me to finish up to my CFII in comparison to a majority of schools around. Since I am Part 61 PPL, and I already have my 50hrs of PIC cross country there isn't much left needed to finish up my Instrument. Along with time building, the school quoted me less than 20K to finish up to my CFII. It cost me $7500 to obtain my PPL with the school at the FAA minimum 40hrs. All in a Cessna 172M/N.

So, with that training plan in mind, this still leaves out a couple very important factors that I have to consider.
1. I would have to pay for this with loans and or credit cards.
2. I would still have to get a BS degree for when I planned on transitioning to a major airline in the future.
3. The time it would take me through Part 61 to obtain all my ratings is far quicker than any Part 141 College degree program. By my calculations, it would take me roughly 2-2.5 years from the time I started training an became a CFI to the 1500 ATP requirement.

Sure, this would likely get me to a regional airline fairly quickly. Then at this point, I could utilize my GI Bill to obtain my Bachelor's degree. I spoke with a Delta Captain/Instructor Pilot, he said that from his experience it was very difficult for pilots to finish their degree in the time necessary to be eligible for a major airline.

I have seen in forums, and from other pilots recommending getting a degree outside of aviation to fall back on. With this scenario, this would be apart of the plan.

I am quite ok with getting loans to pay for my flight training if in fact, this is the best situation for my needs.

2nd Scenario:

Being a Veteran, I have my Post 9/11 GI bill. This would allow me to attend any Yellow Ribbon school. Which would pay for all of my flight training and degree. I'm very interested in hearing other Veterans experience with these programs. I like this idea because it would be paid for. However, from my 1st scenario above, I mentioned that many pilots recommend obtaining a non-aviation related degree. Thoughts?

Being that I already have my PPL would cut down on time needed to finish a degree path. However, then I would have a degree and not have to worry about that. Also, the 1000hrs R-ATP which instructing while finishing up my BS would only take another year to likely be at that restricted minimum.

I've been looking into a few different schools that have Yellow Ribbon flight programs IE.
Kansas State Polytechnic - Closest to me
University of North Dakota
Purdue Polytechnic
Ohio State
Spartan College - Tulsa

I'm open to other recommendations. I am immensely interested in people who have been there, done that experience to help me make a decision.

I also have to keep in mind my family's needs. My wife has a Bachelors in Psychology would need opportunities for her to find a job. Being that I am the current sole proprietor of income at the moment. My wife would have to start working again to help cover the change. I'm not as concerned about her finding a job with her degree and experience. It is just something to consider based on what location I deem is best to finish up my flight training.

If you've made it this far in this post. I sincerely appreciate your input and time taken to read my post. Your response will be greatly appreciated!