Disclaimer: I didn't think the apt written was broken. Stupid, but not broken.

Airlines will pay for this anyway but lets say that they do get congress to overturn things, kids still can't get flight loans.

Banks have the money and don't plan on loosening the purse until there is a chance they will see a return on investment. Don't be fooled that anything else, the banking melt down caused this pilot pinch. There are a million and one high school kids ready to flood allatpjackwagonsr'us and the like in a heart beat if only they could get the loans.

If they hadn't cut the pay and benefits for 10 years after 911 they wouldn't be in this predicament now.

This is a management induced problem because they let CFO run companies. Free market let pay rise and more people will become pilots.

I keep hearing that you cannot get student loan money for flying anymore. Is this really true or just an urban legend? I have been done with flight training for quite some time though, so I have no idea

Not an urban legend.

That's mainly because of the new TDY/virtual basing thing they came up with. If they'd set that up right senior FOs would have bid it and upgrade would still be 2-4 years, depending. But as it sits, none of the senior guys want to touch it and combine that with almost every west coast FO not being willing to upgrade to FL and you see what's happening now. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see street captains or JA to upgrade by years end at this rate.

This is what I don't understand; I've got a buddy who just graduated with a four year degree in art with 70k in student loans. Who the heck was issuing those loans for a degree in art?!:confused:

Higher probability of the loan being paid back. McDonalds pay checks always cash....

You can get government backed student loans for around 80K. The old Key and Sallie Mae loans that people used to get for 100-200K have not been available since 2008.

I got a sallie Mae loan in 2011. Government backed loans are only available for institutions of higher learning. Flight schools do not qualify.

You may have a point, but the crappy TDY program also comes into play.