Great post, and although I haven't done extensive research, the timeline/path mentioned to becoming a doctor is pretty spot on, as per what I've seen.
My sister is currently finishing her second year of pharmacy school. Pharmacy school has a very similiar process, and basically the same prerequisites as does medical school. She spent 3 years, of taking 15-18 credits, to meet the prerequisites for pharmacy school. Albiet she had to take the general education classes (math, english, history, etc) as well, even had she already had those, it would have taken her year, or more, to complete the biology, chemistry, physics, etc., she would have needed. I don't see how it is possible for someone with nothing more than an aviation degree, and a few science classes, taken online, to not spend at least a year, probably more, to meet the prerequisites for medical school. My sister also spent the better part of a year, taking the PCAT (pharmacy school's MCAT), getting applications together, interviewing at schools, etc. It isn't something you just decide to do on a whim, and next thing you know, you are in medical school.
To TM's (possible) defense, assuming he may come, at some point, and try to explain things, it may not be completely impossible, the story he tells. He may have already met the prerequisits, and have taken the MCAT prior to 9/11, and have been able to start medical school on 2002. He would have graduated in 2006. He would be in the process (if that were true) of completing his last year of residency, if he went through the shortest residency of 3 years. If he is working, or even doing his residency (if you can) at a rural clinic, it could be that they offered him a contract, with a compensation package (including pay, paying off loans, and other benefits) worth $300K, to have him stick around, once finished with his residency. I would imagine that these rural clinics, have a hard time recruiting, and keeping doctors, thus they may offer a nice package, although I doubt his literal salary would be $300K.
I will wait for TM to respond, and see what he says.