I tend to agree with VegasChris. A degree may not be fully necessary right now today. But if you’re a seasoned pilot at a major, you understand how that can change overnight. I would, at the LEAST, have an associates degree in hand in a field not related to aviation. Your son won’t be able to start at a regional until he’s 21, so it leaves roughly 2 years between graduating highschool and being able to start indoc to finish, or get as close to some degree, as he can.

ATP looks like your best bet to me, if you want him to knock it all out pretty quick. Do online classes. He can even still be in school finishing up when he’s at a regional. I can’t believe I’m agreeing with someone to go to ATP. How times have changed.