Rick you really think that things are going to turn around in 3 years? call me crazy but I just saw a post for a job flying a Cirrus and they wanted 3000 total time Three Thousand Hours. I hope you are right tho

I would not get your CFI unless the FBO promises you a job upon completion. The same goes for the IA and MEI. They are bargaining chips to get yourself a job with. During hard times the temptation is to get your CFI someplace cheaper then try and get an instructing job at the fancier big city FBO. However in my experience they hold out their jobs for graduates of their own program.

Skyhigh

Also look into ATP its 50k but you bang everything out, all your rating save seaplane and then you can focus on school or whatever, plus youll have over 100 me time.

I actually agree with Rick on this one. Based on what a lot of people have told me, the hiring freeze is only due to the retirement age at 65. I guess what is expected to happen with the senior pilots start to retire is this: first the furloughed pilots come back (whoever decides to come back), then the 3000 and 4000-hour pilots, then it comes down to the 1000-hour and less crowd. Even 3-4000 hours is a lot, you will not find too many CFI's and other time-building pilots with that many hours. Even at our school, it is hard to come across a 1-year (and I mean 12 CALENDAR months) CFI with more than 700 hours. So I am very confident that it won't take too much time for the industry to go back to the way it was.

Also, with ATP, it sounds like a great idea, and the ME time is great, but I hear both great stories and horror stories about it. Plus, there's no ATP in Wisconsin and I'd like to stay in-state at least until I have that degree. Anyone have more feedback about their experience from it?

Yeah, the economy is cyclical and the age 65 bubble will pop in 2012...there are actually quite a few old guys out there.

The one wild card is oil prices...if that goes out of control, the airline industry is done.

Also the hard-core global warming crowd believes that airliners are one of the major causes...if they get their way we will all be shut down. They will come straight out and tell you...flying is an unnecessary luxury. Interstate travel will be tightly controlled, just like the old soviet union where you needed a pass to leave your city. Everyone should stay home and tend to their garden...

There is absolutely no reason to spend 150 K on flight training, only to end up with a degree you can't use, and ratings you could have had for a third of that. As has already been stated, you don't need the degree to get a flying job, and an aviation degree is useless in any other field as well. Go to an FBO for the ratings. They'll hire you afterword as long as you're not dangerous. Get the degree at a state college. Do everything you can to stay away from student loans. They are the worst type of debt you can possibly acquire. They make credit card debt look like kid stuff. Research it online - it's true. You will NEVER get rid of 150K in student loan debt being a regional airline pilot. As far as where to go after the ratings, make wise choices, and talk to experienced people. Learn from their mistakes in the business. At the point you're at now, it's important to find a good (read: honest/ethical) school. Make sure you're not involved with people who want to take your money and leave you with nothing to show for it. The first school I went to cost me a lot of money because I didn't know enough to know I was getting ripped off. There's nothing wring with instructing to build time, but be sure you're not shortchanging your students. Would you want your current instructor worring more about his logbook than your flight training?

How did it take you 90 hrs for your ppl? I went 141 major school, 34 hrs, check ride passed. It's called mental discipline.

I would like to point out that the age 65 change will effect the job market for the duration. It is true that we have had to endure a 5 year hiatus while those 60 to 65 time out. However it is important to note that age 65 means that the average pilot has five additional years of work life ahead of them. As a result the airline industry needs fewer pilots since they can work longer.

By my calculations it is 13 to 20% fewer pilots. (Assuming that the average pilot is 35 at the time of hire at a major and can work until they are 65 versus 35 to age 60.)

No matter how you do the math it is a large and lasting change to future prospects.

Skyhigh

*Off* Don't become a CFI until you get rid of that attitude

Some people are NOT SUPER PILOT GURUs like yourself

Do you ever stop to think some people may have other things in Life other than flying, what if their was a family or personal medical emergency what if the price of rice in china went up what if , what if. My point is if you get it is CHANGE that ATTITUDE stop ASSUMING the poster dont have mental dicipline you dont know what kinda lemons the other person have