Originally Posted by
DashAviator
First of all, you need to understand that getting to the R-ATP level is going to be a time-consuming process that requires a lot of study and training. I've been flying for almost 40 years, and I've never met anyone who's gotten to the R-ATP in less than about two years. Last year I flew with a First Officer who had gone from 0 hours to a regional airline in 2.5 years, and I thought THAT was pretty amazing. Second, I expect that airline hiring will be pretty good for the next five or ten years. Instead of worrying about "career progression" and "seniority", your focus should be on getting through your basic training and acquiring some quality flight experience.
If I was in your position, I'd take another look at Liberty University. Once you get your Private, you can get rental privileges at some of the local flight schools. This will allow you to build some additional flight time, and one of those schools might be willing to hire you once you get your CFI (flight instructor) certification. It's never a bad idea to save some money. You might need it later.
Finally, you should consider how your "inability to relocate" may affect your future flying career. I've been pretty lucky. I've only had to move four times in the last twenty years for my airline job.
I should have clarified, and I apologize for that. I realize that I won't actually have R-ATP in hand at that point. It will take that long to do the mandatory coursework to qualify for R-ATP after taking a few years after that to complete the hours.
I have looked extensively at Liberty, and I like their program. There are just a few snags for me as far as that goes. First and foremost, renting planes in my local area while in the Liberty program for additional hours is going to be difficult. I will be mid-career change and budget will be at a low-point. My time will be limited as I need to be a dad while my wife is at work and when she is not at work I will be completing a second bachelors degree to qualify for the reduction in hours. Between the money and time, that would not be ideal. Secondly, even doing the Liberty program, I can do the curriculum online but the closest flight training affiliate with whom I could actually fly is over 2 hours away in Savannah GA. (This is really annoying because I don't live in the sticks. There is an Air Force Base and a Navy base in my town and it is rapidly growing. The main airport is class C, and it is about 7 minutes from my house.) Lastly, with the way Liberty sets up the curriculum with one course being a prerequisite for the next and so on, It will still be 2 years before I will have CFI complete through the Liberty program.
I really don't mean this to be offensive and if you could hear the tone of my voice instead of reading what I have typed, you'd realize I am not trying to be a wise-ass, but it it easy for someone who has been flying for 40 years to tell someone like me that they shouldn't worry about "career progression" and "seniority". Reading most of the posts on this forum, I hear a lot about seniority being the name of the game. I'm interested in getting the training done thoroughly, safely, and efficiently. I want to be the best and SAFEST aviator possible, but I want to make sure that I am not taking years off of my career to save a little bit of money up front through Liberty.