Hmmm... spend two years at RAA/MPD/ATP, $80-90K and get your ratings. Spend 4 years at Western Michigan, UND, or one of many smaller collegiate aviation programs, $80-90K, and get your ratings plus a degree in whatever field you want.

Two years is NOTHING. (For those of you who think it isn't I have 5 years of airline experience and don't meet minimums for a major airline PIC job). Get the degree, expand your horizions, enjoy life.

For all of you that are hell bent on the airlines, let me ask you one question: Why? Perhaps a bit of inner reflection on why you want the job is in order, so that when you finally land that coveted airline job with the cool hat and shiny wings, it isn't a big let down when the pay sucks, you're flying holidays, commuting in bad weather, and that 6 month upgrade you expected is four to five years away...

 

AAAAAmen!!!

 

And if the dog didn't stop to take a dump, he would've caught the rabbit.

Seniority can mean everything or it can mean nothing. Ask the 55-60 year old Captains with 30 years in the majors losing their pensions. As we've seen, this industry can crap the bed in a heartbeat and what are you going to do outside of flying with a highschool diploma? McDonalds? Walmart? Although you can probably make more money at Walmart than you could at a regional these days, it's not what I consider a fabulous job. Get a degree in something you can use outside of flying. Something you're interested in. Ask yourself what you'd do if someone told you you couldn't fly anymore. Things happen. You can lose your medical, the industry goes sour, etc... I went to ERAU also and got a degree in Aero Sci (class of 2000). Great program, but now that I look back, what can I use an Aero Sci degree for outside of flying? Not much unless I get a masters in some sort of Aviation Management, which I may just do while I'm in the Air Force. Flying is great, but have a backup plan. It doesn't mean you can't stay in the aviation industry, but have a plan if you cannot stay in the cockpit for one reason or another. Everyone's in a big rush to get to that left seat, but the fact of the matter is, in this industry you can be out on your rearend before you know it.

 

look at www.fly-aviation.com there only $32,000 to your commercial

 

you could always just buy a little 150. Put an ad in the paper to find an instructor that just wants to build time. And when you are finished with all ur ratings, sell the airplane, and get back most of your money.Airplanes are one of the few thing around that actually hold thier value. They sometimes even go up in value. If you have a buddy that wants to do the same thing, go partners man.
It'll be a hell of alot cheaper than going to big flight school. And it would probably be alot easier to get a loan for something the bank can take away than for you to go down to Florida.
ShurB