What he done say here make a lot of sense to me. 1500 hr rule is a god send and I hope they do not , ever, repeal it.

 

He graduated from college already with a BS Degree. He never showed an interest in aviation until he got out into the real world and started earning his own living; now all of the sudden, he wants a career in aviation and is prepared to risk it all

 

Did you go thru their program? How did you pay for it - they are pushing a Sallie Mae loan; is that how you did it?

 

You sound like you may be ex-military and had your experience paid for by the US Taxpayers; nothing wrong with that if you can get a pilot slot but for those who can't, that 1500hr rule is a big hurdle. By the way, I am ex-military but was a ground-pounder. I have the highest regard for military pilots but let's face it, not everybody can get a pilot slot.

 

He should get a job where he can work on his ratings at the same time. It may take a little longer, but being debt free is so much more important than finishing in a year and "getting your ratings". I can't stress this enough. Every place that makes money off of aviation is going to scream and jump up and down, proclaiming he HAS TO DO IT RIGHT NOW because he HAS TO GET IN QUICKLY and get SENIORITY and be PART OF the MASSIVE WAVE. If anyone tells you this, you know right away they are either completely ignorant or only concerned about what THEY will get out of it.

 

Only $50K? Where?

Here's ATP's web page, their 180 day fast track course is $69,990. You WISH it were only $50K! Scroll down:

ATP Flight School: Airline Career Pilot Program

 

I did not go through their program, and was only hired as a CFI because they were setting up the single engine program and I had previous experience. I did go through their CFI/I/MEI course though.

I would definitely look into the Sallie Mae loan option.

 

I did the program. Only the 90 day one because I already had my private and it was 6 years ago so a little cheaper and I was able to use other means to finance it, but feel free to PM me with any questions if you have any.

 

I got paid for being in the military.
I was going to get paid by the *taxpayers* whether I was flying or ground pounding (of which I did both) or even when I was sitting in a classroom learning the MC Rapid Planning Process.
The fact that my weapons system happen to be an airplane enabled me to take some of my skills into another industry, no different than if some corporate headhunter had hired me to run the floor at some manufacturing plant because of my military instilled organizational and leadership skills.

The military teaches you skills that are useful in the civilian world!
Imagine that!

Yes - 1500 hrs is a big hurdle.
Good.

 

No loans if possible!!!

It's no fun struggling on pay for the years it will take him to get to a decent company and earn a living while paying off loans... There is no rush at all and he will be much happier with his jobs and paying his dues if he doesn't have to worry about how to pay a loan(s), rent, food, car insurance and all the other required living expenses. He will be much happier and enjoying the career and his life and get there in due time. Make him look up payscales and plan his future around that.

He will look back someday and be glad he's as close to debt free as possible.

I've worked with guys who loved their jobs making what I consider peanuts, they get by just fine (since they didn't have loans) and here I've been struggling for years, with no end in sight if I don't land a decent job making at least 60k...and there are many crappy paying jobs that are the only way to getting ahead. I loved my jobs too but enjoy my life always worried about paying this or that on what I make.

At least he has a degree already, one less thing to pay out of pocket for. Best of luck to him!