meeko031

Why is Pan Am on your top list for flight training? is it because each plane is equipped with a gps, same fleet, and requires wearing a uniform. I too was in a similar situation but later realized that I didn't need a fancy gps/glass to fly/navigate, wear a uniform, or one specific type of aircraft to understand aerodynamics.

You will get the same type of training regardless which school you choose. It's how much effort you put into it.

JumpSeater

Pam Am in Miami? You might want to check into this. The only Pan Am that I am aware of is Pan Am International Flight Academy (which is now TransPac Aviaiton). Pan Am International Flight Academy used to be the sole remnant of the airline which retained the name since it was the only thing left making any money when the airline went out of business. It operated 2 flight schools. One in Ft. Pierce, FL and the other in Phoenix, AZ. Ft. Pierce has been closed for years now and the only one left is in Phoenix. Perhaps they sold the name when it became TransPac Aviation and there is a flight school in Miami that bought it. Other than Pan Am training facilities that strictly provide airline training (recurrent, initial, ect.), the only place to start from hour zero, that I am aware of, would be in Phoenix. There you would get your private, instrument, commercial... what you would need to start on your way of becoming an "airline pilot". What was has been mentioned prior on this thread is entirely accurate. First, expect a slow road. I say 3-4 years before someone who starts now will get a job at any airline, but that is just my opinion. Never put any money down beyond what you need for your current rating. If possible, even try to break that up into smaller payments.

Regarding Pan Am (TransPac), specifically... I would not do it. This school has changed from what it once was. It now caters entirely toward Chinese pilot development, hence the name change to TransPac. It has been bought and sold and most of the quality people have since left or been fired during the transitions. If you want the airline experience, however (to feel like a number), then it will probably work for you. There are far better programs out there that will get you through just as fast and for way less money.

My recommendation is to go find an eager instructor and tell him/her you want to fly every day. Plan out a monthly schedule that meets your objectives. Otherwise, I would go to a small flight school and not the pilot mills of the past, such as, Pan Am (TransPac). During these times, Pan Am would be quite the waste of money given all the furloughed airline pilots once again relying upon their CFI certificate. I would also dare say the quality of instruction would be much higher as well given their experience. If you can do it just as fast and for less, why not. Airlines don't care where you came from. Just if you meet the hours required.

Good luck, fly safe, and don't get discouraged.

BoredwLife

Actually there is a Pan Am training academy in Miami.
Pan Am Academy: Pan Am International Flight Academy

I have been there (for wet ditching training) and the facility was historic to say the least. Strangley my buddy who was my sim partner looked at me and goes, "looks relatively the same it did 20 years when I was here" for training with PanAm. Just shows how the industry is.

JumpSeater

Interesting. Perhaps the last remaining piece of an historic airline. I hope it does not get sold off like the rest.