Originally Posted by
Tinpusher007
I agree with this in theory, but I think the cost of getting an ATP might be cost prohibitive to alot of people. The biggest wallet doesn't equal the best pilot.
You get someone else to pay for your hours (either the government or your employer, usually a flight school where you're a CFI). It's what CFI's and military aviators and the like have been doing for years. Being a CFI means you command the aircraft and have to make command decisions while you build the experience needed to meet the ATP minimums. Being a military officer certainly allows you to build command experience and decision making skills - the military aviator just specializes in aircraft specific decisions and skills.
Don't want to be a CFI, have no talent for teaching, have bad eyes so the military doesn't want you? Fine. Go fly piston freight with your commercial license. Just don't expect you should be able to perform as a airline pilot without being licensed as such.