My story is typical to many- College, working at airline and odd jobs, flight instructing, charter, ups and downs at regionals, trying to survive, trying to find different careers and supplemental income, etc.

In many ways I was fortunate, at least as far as what I invested in it all. I paid as I went, had access to some cheap/free aircraft to fly and flight instructed from about 300 hours until I got hired at my first regional with 1300 hours. I probably only spent around $20K for flight hours my whole life (I have 5000 hours now). I did invest a whole lot of time in flying, however, that could have certainly turned a better profit doing something else.

If I can add any words of wisdom to this thread it would be this---

More than any other profession this one depends on simple luck, timing, and events that are totally out of your control. One year you could have 20,000 hours, a Ph.D. in astro physics and have spent years of your life and hundreds of thousands of dollars perfecting your craft and not be able to get an airline job. Another year pimple faced kids with 200 hours get jobs no problem. There is no rhyme nor reason. No typical path.

My point is, don't over invest in this job. Don't over invest your money. Don't over invest your life. Don't over invest your "soul". Gamble only what you can afford to lose and hope lady luck is on your side. This career depends more on the stars being aligned than on what you spend!

AND I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT SPEND MORE THAN 20K TO BE A FIRST OFFICER AT A REGIONAL!!!