Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Plenty of time for the regionals, assuming ATP mins. Do you have the XC?
I doubt anyone pays for the IR, unless it's part of an employer-funded ab-initio program which I don't think we have in the US anyway.
For just the IR, I doubt it would be worth it. If you need several hundred hours (XC?) maybe so. But it's risky, you can save a few grand but if you have a big MX surprise you might have to spend a few tens of grands.
I will have to look into the rec's for ATP minimums, I do a fair bit more XCing than your average crop duster so I do think I would have the minimum at least. Sounds like I will have to at least grab the dual and instrument ratings myself I have a friends who's an instructor so may be able to negotiate a bit on the fee. The 210 I mentioned isn't IR rated but it could be used to mop up any specific XC requirements I lack.
Is there a specific regional that is better than the rest? I don't necessarily have my heart set on going the Major airline route but that does seem to be the most stable in an already unstable profession.