I apologize. I'd be happy to be an example of exactly what NOT to do in pursuit of an airline career. I am that guy that accepted an under paying position, substandard work rules, etc... sacrificing more than just money and time. I have contributed to the overall problem.

Although I may come off as defensive, I have become sensitive to higher education as a whole. More people are getting higher educations (Masters degrees) at much higher price tags, for modest paying careers. My wife has a MLS, a 6yr degree and makes 35k/yr. It came at a hefty price. This issue isn't soley an "aviation" career problem. It is symptomatic of a bigger issue. There are a few fields that will almost always have a higher success rate of paying off. Engineering, Law and Medicane are most of them.

Put yourself into the position of someone that comes here to get started on their "research" of an airline career. Think about the perception. You got Gulf Stream Academy and ATPs on one end of the spectrum, and you got the 4yrs universities on the other end of the spectrum. Both ends get bashed repeatedly here. One of them is zero to hero in less than a year, the other is preppy, overpriced and unneeded. That doesn't leave much left if you are not military inclined.

The local flight schools can provide decent training at decent over all prices, but they can be a crap shot for those that don't know what to look for. I speculate that local flight schools will not maintain profitablity in the near future. Universities AND flight academies with large markets and larger financing options can more easily absorb losses and potientially be the vehicle for fundamental changes in flight training.