Originally Posted by
Swapapotamoose
I’ve had a few FA’s ask me this recently. The fastest way is by far ATP. You’ll get every single rating in less than a year. Instructing is not for everyone but my opinion is that you’ll learn a lot instructing. I did everything to no instruct but wasn’t able to find a time building gig with a wet commercial ticket. Now that I can look back, I’m glad I instructed because I think it made me a better pilot. Go get it, there’s no better time than now!
You'll learn a lot as a CFI, and you won't have to pay for your hours (other than opportunity cost of whatever job you could be doing if you weren't flying).
I think the absolute fastest path to 1500 right now would be to simply buy a plane and burn holes in the sky as your full-time job, or alternatively lease one for X hours and Y months. I'm sure somebody would lease you a plane, having one dude/dudette doing wholesale XC time-building would generate far more revenue for a lot less wear on the plane than FBO rentals. You could split the cost if you can find a like-minded partner.
Might make sense for an older career-changer with more money than years left to fly.
Back in the day PPL time was not as competitive for the regionals, but they cannot be remotely that picky today. So it would do the trick for sure.