I actually agree with Rick on this one. Based on what a lot of people have told me, the hiring freeze is only due to the retirement age at 65. I guess what is expected to happen with the senior pilots start to retire is this: first the furloughed pilots come back (whoever decides to come back), then the 3000 and 4000-hour pilots, then it comes down to the 1000-hour and less crowd. Even 3-4000 hours is a lot, you will not find too many CFI's and other time-building pilots with that many hours. Even at our school, it is hard to come across a 1-year (and I mean 12 CALENDAR months) CFI with more than 700 hours. So I am very confident that it won't take too much time for the industry to go back to the way it was.

Also, with ATP, it sounds like a great idea, and the ME time is great, but I hear both great stories and horror stories about it. Plus, there's no ATP in Wisconsin and I'd like to stay in-state at least until I have that degree. Anyone have more feedback about their experience from it?