Is it really this bad....
 

Was ready to take out 45 Grand loan (that after getting 27K from VA) to go to ATP in ATL. I am a firefighter for a major metro Atlanta department w/ wife and 2 kids. Im glad I stumbled upon this forum! Wow...ATP said now is the best time to train...in the downturn. Is it really this bad at the regionals?

Yes.

ATP wants your money. That is their sole purpose. They couldn't care less what happens after you graduate. Flight schools sell a "dream", not reality. If you want to fly primarily for enjoyment, it IS worth it, I promise - just don't take a loan, pay as you go. But if you want to fly solely as an alternative career, it isn't worth it.

There is a very, very good chance that you will not come close to a return of investment for the better part of a decade and you will struggle to support your family without living paycheck to paycheck unless you have rich parents, your wife makes over $100k, get a second job that pays $60k, etc.

There is no movement, and nearly zero hiring, at all right now. If you do not have a degree, I would use that money to go to school and fly on the side to get you instructor ratings. After you finish, the industry might be better.

It is fairly bad at the regionals right now, in 1-2-3-4-5 years depending on which "expert" you talk to things will be picking up for the apprenticeship type jobs we call regionals.

elijahmike1, read through this thread.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ma...ng-plunge.html

Dude,

Stay a firefirghter. I'd be one yesterday if there wasn't a hiring freeze. Don't waste your time with this worthless career, and DO NOT give ATP one cent!!

Getting your ratings in a downturn has generally been good advice. However, this has been the worst one in my career and even after the economy recovers and hiring resumes, the jobs available to you will almost certainly involve low pay and QOL. If you can afford the loan payments without expectations of paying it through a flying career for at least a decade, then go ahead.

After ten years of flying (7 at the regionals, and three at a legacy airline) I have yet to break 70k in a calendar year.

I have no pension.

I'm still paying off my debt from expenses when I learned to fly and the miscellaneous debt we racked up while I was an FO at the regionals for 5 years.

Stay a firefighter. Your wife, kids, and pension will be better off.

If you're determined to fly, learn to, and go out for a 100 (now 250) dollar hamburger once in a while.

Just my humble opinion BTW.

Like others have said, the ROI for the cost of your training will take a while...even before you start accounting for lost wages/retirement/benefits.

With that said, a downturn is always a good time to learn; I was a freshman in college when 9/11 happened and the seniors graduating in 2002 were entering a job market that, while different than today, was still pretty bleak.

No change since the last time you asked...
 

I think you got a lot of great advice and a pretty firm perspective on the current situation of the aviation industry in your original thread.

Yes, it really is that bad in the regionals.

Hog