Originally Posted by tylervet

Hello again AptKid,

What I meant by this route being "more costly", was that after spending $55k at the ATP school, you would then spend $5000 a semester at a state university. This is roughly what I paid. If you go to a CC or some other cheaper route than that obviously doesn't apply. Another costly decision is to go work for a cheap Regional that hires 750 hour FOs (e.g. Great Lakes), and pays you less than 20k/year. This is a cost in my opinion because you could get your degree, and build enough time to work for a Regional that will pay you 30k-50k as an FO. At a minimum you will make $40k more in the first 4-5 years as an FO at a better Regional, if you waited, built more time and got a degree.

I know it sounds like I am putting a lot of emphasis on getting a degree first, unfortunately many jobs prefer you have one (including Great Lakes). It may not be required, but it can help a lot!

It's no easy decision.