No problem. I saw you post and thought..now what would I say to myself 10 years ago knowing what I know now. Now after a few beers I have come up with some new thoughts on this topic.

1. Due to the Colgan crash there is more than likely going to be some changes soon. How drastic is anyones guess, but a popular theme seems to be ATP or 1500 hrs TT for both pilots.

2. Riddle ****ed me off even more yesterday by complaining to the Washington Post that 1500 hours to fly airlines is too much and that it should be closer to 300. That just shows that Riddle doesn't really care about safety, just cares about being able to get students in the door to get their money.

3. I kind of wish my degree was in something else so I had a backup plan when I get furloughed. I know I've been lucky in avoiding furlough so far, but know that trend will not likely continue. In the past 7 years I've been downgraded once, and displaced 4 or 5 times...I lost count. Anyways luckily not furloughed yet.

4. You say you are done with mom and pop schools. While it seems like you have had bad luck in the past there are some good ones out there and a mom and pop school on the side while going to a "real college" in a degree not in aviation is probably the "best course of action".

5. If you want to look at a good mom and pop school I can hook you up with one in the Washington DC area (Manassas VA...KHEF) I learned to fly here and worked here and the FBO is top notch. The cheif pilot runs a tight ship and the maintenance is super good...no 50 hr inspections, but when I was there the planes were in 100 hr inspections about every 3 weeks so not much time to squeak in a 50 hour. If something broke it was fixed within hours. In fact I'd be willing to say that the mx there was better than the 2 airlines I've worked for. The downside is the cost of living in the DC area is retarded exspensive.