Started flying at an afb aero club my freshman year at a comm. college. Got all the ratings and a B.S. from an extended campus of ERAU on the base, while working two other part-time jobs. Every penny I ever spent on my training - $21,500. Instructed at the AFB for almost two years, and then another two years at a small college out of state. Got hired by my first regional with 2300 TT and about a 100 ME in the first part of 2005. Furloughed from them in 2006. Hired at my current gig in early 2006. Quick upg (lucky that time). Made $77,000 last year without working any overtime. Of course I was on RSV for 5 months - 11 days off per month. I feel very fortunate that I worked as hard as I did from 98-2005. I hope my current company gets better, otherwise I'm out the door when the better companies begin to hire. But then again I'm happy that I'll have descent time to apply to those companies. 5500TT 3000Turb. 1500 TPIC.