How to start a crash pad?
 

I'm not in the industry but saving money for flight training and will hopefully be at a regional in the near future. I was thinking about purchasing property to open a crash pad. Do any of you own your own crash pads? If so how much do you charge per bed? How many beds do you have and how many people are renting? I am just worried I will buy a house and not be able to get many tenants seeing as I do not have many connections at the airlines. Will this be an issue?

It helps to be near an airport that has a large crew base.

I was thinking about buying one near KATL, do you think it would be hard to find tenants without having access to crew lounges? I would most likely just be doing online advertising

I think you would be fine. I don't proclaim to be an expert though. You can advertise online.
To answer a few of your questions....it seems most crashpad rates are 250-300 per month for your own bed, usually 2-6 beds in a room. I would say private rooms would be 350-600. Don't forget to account for utilities, Internet, cable, toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning costs.

No need, just post here (unless thats what you meant). Also, ask someone here to print out a few fliers to post in the crew room. A good crashpad is always in demand.

Not that this is required, but in my mind, the #1 thing that would set you apart from everyone else is if there is anyway for your tenants to get to your crashpad without having to own a car there.

IE- I doubt they can walk from the airport, but could they take a train or a bus? Would a cab be really cheap? Would Uber be really cheap? And you will have even better luck opening one where hotels are really expensive.

Your competition is going to be hotels with really good crew rates. For example, if I can stay a single night in a hotel that charges less than $40 per night including all taxes and fees, has transportation to and from the airport, and also includes a free breakfast, and I don't have to worry about sheets on the bed or other people in the rooms snoring etc.. its a good deal in my mind even if I'm using it 10 times per month.

I don't know about ATL but I can tell you in NYC there is no way you are finding a hotel for less than $100 per night. Locations like that would make a crashpad profitable.

Or you can buy mine that is full and been full for the last 9 years. Everything is included and is in Atlanta and near the hotels, so no car needed

PM sent Flyhigh.

1. Get hired at an airline, preferably a major.
2. Tell everyone in your class at day-1 indoc "I have a great crashpad near our base; $200 a month for the first 6 guys....who's in?
3. With cash in hand, find a place to rent for $900 a month.
4. Indoc complete, you can start showing pictures of "your place."

:p

I would be interested in getting one in philly. I work in real estate and have eyed up a few areas. If you are within a couple miles that will help. Public transportation is nice too because no one will have a car.

Yes, best at a junior base that few want to live in.