First, I would like to say that this forum is a good source of opinions, but, I would take anything here with a grain of salt. There are many self proclaimed experts. Including yours truly. It sounds like you are doing research on various fronts and that is a good way to go.

The idea of training in a downturn has merit. It's all about supply and demand. When the job market for pilots is grim, as it is now, there are fewer people wanting to enter training and there are some people who are already working for airlines who will decide to switch careers.

Also, it may be true that the larger the downturn equates to a larger upswing. Bottom line is that nobody really knows. If you are in love with flying and in love with the pilot lifestyle, you will find success and happiness. You may find financial rewards as well. If you are just seeking respect from others, a big paycheck and lots of days off, you are likely to be disappointed.

Also, my advise is train an hour at a time at the local FBO while keeping the day job. Much cheaper and probably more fun.

 

The best statement I have read on APC in a long time: If you are just seeking respect from others, a big paycheck and lots of days off, you are likely to be disappointed.

So true.


Skyhigh

 

^ Yeah that.

Spending 45K for a commercial license is insane. I can't believe so many guys fall for those pilot school scams.

 

I learned to fly at the local airport. It was a 141 school, but I earned my commerical, multi, and instrument in 18 months. In total, I spent a little more than $25000. I spent another 5000 on the CFI, CFII, and MEI.

ATP is great if there is a hiring boom because of the number of multi hours you gan accrue. In this environment though, I would just visit the local FBO. If you spend three days a week flying and one day a week in ground school, or four hours a week total, there's no reason you can't earn your private in about four months. The same goes for the instrument rating.

 

My biggest advice would be to not go into debt to pay for your flight training if at all possible. There are lots of different roads to the cockpit which won't involve ATP, or a 60K loan...My college education cost right around 60k, and that was including all flight training, with a total of around 30k itself....basically half and half. Prices have gone up, but it'd be better to go to a local airport on your days off / weekends and do flight training up through your commercial certificate (appx. 250 hrs). In the long run, i think you'll enjoy the flying more than you will at the fast track ATP type programs, and even if it takes a little longer for you to get where you want to be, you really shouldn't be in much of a hurry anyway. You'll learn some valuable flying skills, go to some cool destinations, and have your arms resting on the windowsill as you scream through the air at 100 mph. small airports also tend to have some great networking potential. So-in-so was a pilot for TWA, he stills know "blahblahblah" who hires for American, or "i've got a twin that i barely fly, if you put the gas in it, you can take it on your crosscountry flights". All of which can be valuable, when the time comes to work, you can do your CFI flying on the side, until you decide to dedicate more time to flying than firefighting, and really build your hours up, the key to that is at the point you're really building flight experience (after your 250 hrs, and your commercial and or instructor ratings) you'll be getting paid as opposed to paying to fly.The difficult task is supplementing the lost income from your previous career. best of luck.

 

Don't do it. Think of the person at ATP as a used car salesman, they only want your money. This is not a good time to train. Keep your job and just wait a little while. Go get your private at least just to get some experience, fly for fun and wait this mess out.

 

Another thing to consider is to combine you interest/skills in firefighting with flying. There are firefighting flying jobs. They may not pay as much but they seem to be more stable.

 

And far more exciting than any lower-48 regional gig...

 

You've gotten good advice here.

My personal opinion: I probably wouldn't aim for being a career airline pilot If I got to do it again. I'd fly for fun and get a good technical degree.

The worst part to me:
There is NO lateral movement among seniority-based companies. IE: If you are 121 and lose your job, you start ALLL over again at the bottom if you keep with 121.

It was very humbling and scary to watch laid off pilots from major airlines with 10,000+ hours interview with me at a regional for a 24,000/yr. job.

Disclaimer: I went 135 in the end, not 121.

 

I agree with a lot of the replies. Don't go into debt for flight training, and don't go to ATP. The career is a dice roll, and there are so many ways that it can fail to pay out. If you have anything other than great luck, it could be 10+ years until you make anything resembling decent income.