QRH Bingo

Yep, great advice here that I second, for anyone entering the field regardless of age... get a medical (appropriate to what will be required for what you wish to do, i.e. 1st or 2nd class) and pay for your private pilot certificate as you go with cash.

Oh, and add 15-25% to any quotes you receive for estimated training costs.

TiredSoul

Training averages vary wildly depending on circumstances. National average for the Private pilot is around 80 hrs which is probably double of what you’ve been quoted.
How’s your current 401k? How’s your pension set up? Are you currently on track to retire at 60-65? Do you rent or pay a mortgage? What is your monthly budget? Can you cut it so you can live on $25k-$30k/year and not loose your house?
We don’t need to know the answers but you do.
Since you’ll be doing this semi part time it will take 3-4 years to get to 1500hrs.
That leaves 10 years till mandatory retirement from 121 Airline flying. Yes you could continue Part 91 and Part 135.
I would consider more then just a Class 1 medical, I would consider a full 100% astronaut physical including blood work, cancer screenings and the works.
Dumping your savings and potentially loose your medical in a couple years because of a dormant condition is not the way you want to go. You could already be borderline for a Clas 1 medical on a couple of big ticket items.
Honestly this requires a 3-4 hr conversation with a knowledgeable person.

tsimmns927

Ive got my discovery flight lined up for Friday. Heck, where I live 90 miles north of DFW is the issue is finding someone to give instruction at all.

Meddiver

Thank you for all of your input. I have decided to get my private and then decide on the rest. I am still hoping to go commercial later this year.

DontLookDown

This might start becoming a common problem everywhere