Originally Posted by
freezingflyboy
As long as you don't like to eat, go anywhere and can sleep on your parents couch....then you're correct. However, last time I checked my mortgage company doesn't accept "but I love my job" as payment. Neither does my credit card company or my retirement fund. I'll say it again, paying back $800/month in loans when you only net $1200/month is TOUGH. Don't take my word for it. Try to live on $400/month. Unless you have a trust fund or a well payed spouse I think you will find it nearly impossible.
I would submit that its better to have a job you hate but make enough to live comfortably, enjoy your time off and send your kids to college than it is to love your job, not see your family and live under crushing debt. Work to live, don't live to work.
I go with "Quick and expensive" = Seniority.
When you are in class the other guy that went through ATP or the others, JetU, will be sitting in the right seat gaining all the experience he/she needs and accruing seniority, even if it's an ATR or any turbine. When hiring ever starts, who will be upgrading or picking their base sooner, if that person wants it that bad, they will have the 1000 turbine PIC before you and hopefully it pays off for them, HOPEFULLY. This job is crazy, try being furloughed.
being positioned for opportunity is more valuable than, "Oh hiring is good now, where do I stand? do I have jet experience or turbine time , etc.?" then try getting hired with everyone else that waited. you all will have paid the same amount eventually.
Realistically, how much have all of you paid for everything you have done for aviation, believe me you will pay the same or more than $55,000 by the time you get an airline job, very few don't.
good luck!