Thanks for your perspective, Tinman. Yeah, I am fortunate that America takes care of its veterans, I was able to use my military benefits to help get me through school and flying.

 

With the banks waking up, it is a no brainier that enrollments have gone down, people don't have the same access to the loans and financing like they did 10 years ago. Combined with the fact that costs have gone up exponentially since then.

 

I'm working at a flying club where we have new people walking in the door every day to learn to fly... But I would say 90% do not plan on flying for a career, just hobby flyers

 

I just read that 45% of all Commercials issued in 2012 were issued to foreign students. That's a lot.

 

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/re...or-supply.html

 

Could you cite your source on that? I didn't see that in the UND research thread. Thanks.

 

The school I work at is made up of 99% foreign students. We have one American and he is funded by the VA.

The school I got all of my training at is struggling somewhat with enrollment and most of those students drop of the face of the planet after a few months. I am sure it has do to with costs.

 

I am working at a small "mom & pop" FBO where whatever students there are to be had mostly are learning to fly for fun and are doing it only because the local mill at which they work hands them vouchers per every six months to fly. I started to work there in October. I average about five hours per month and am fed up with the lack of flying! At this rate it will take me for ever to reach ATP mins. I've applied pretty much to every big school out there, and hope that someone will get back to me soon. Only two of our students want to do this professionally. I don't see how the regional airlines will have enough pilots in the coming years. Not every low-time pilot out there is shooting for the regionals, and the pool is becoming ever drier with each passing year. Gone are the days when the flight schools were filled to the brim. Perhaps this will better serve those who are already in the regionals, or close to joining one, but for those looking in and who know what to expect, it's a hassle if they don't have rich parents or the GI bill to give them that financial support.

 

The regional airlines in the US are similar to other business tools whereas you make money with it and then you dispose of it. I say ride that gravy ship until it sinks because I am not going to hate if you can make that paper!

 

Flight school ? really ? 100K ? "for a shot" at a major ?

nobody does that anymore