With the 1500 hour rule coming up, and the constant rumors of a pilot shortage (however true), and the observation I see brought up a lot - hiring boom, crest, fall, those hired after the peak are more likely to be furloughed... and knowing that if I graduated college when I would under my current plan, I'd be on the fall of that hiring... I'm wonder if I should get training and ratings as soon as possible and see if I can make it in before 1500 takes effect.
If I go along with my current plan - chip away at core classes at a community college, paying out of pocket whatever financial aid doesn't cover (which is probably: me paying most of it), transfer to the college I'm looking at that does flight training, and use the time I freed up taking core classes at community college to take courses in a non-aviation degree, graduating with ratings, hours, and a 4-year degree (and still a sizeable debt), I'd come in way after this projected "hiring boom" and 1500.

Instead of that, should I get a loan for whatever my flight training is realistically expected to cost, take a job building hours, climb the ladder as high as I can get (which may only go as high as regionals), and earn a degree online when I have the time/money to do so? That seems a little more constraining... and I don't know that I'd be able to afford even online classes on regional pay while paying off my loan(s) - though poking around the forums, I've heard it's been done.

Is getting in before the 1500 hours rule goes into effect even really that important? (excuse the noob-ness of that question).

Or is all this talk of expected future hiring more about the majors? It seems regionals are always hiring in a trickle of new pilots, and it's not like I'd have a shot at the majors fresh out of training without some -serious- connections. Do I even need to worry about it? Can I just stay the course I planned? I'd like to get flying ASAP, I don't want to burn money unnecessarily, and I want to have a decent chance of getting hired quickly if there's anything I can do to affect that (such as my own timing).

Debt for flight training is not a good idea in the present airline economy, and for that matter has not been a good idea since about 2006. Even then we had raging debates about the value of AllATPS and the like. Don't let talk of shortages get you to buying into loans in order to enter a market that offers bus driver wages. The wage structure at the lower end of aviation is such that it crushes those who does not have their debts out of the way before they enter. You should start managing your money now, pay as you go for training, avoid any and all debt, start yourself a 401k, and live frugally as possible. Pursue aviation as your finances allow and when the time is right you will have all your flight hours including the 1500 you require. Only then are chances of making an airline career work out fairly decent. Flying full time will be just as fun if you take 6 years to get into it, rather than 3.

Get the degree before you enter the airlines. Don't worry about 1500, 'cuz there are going to be ways around it. Look what's happening RIGHT NOW (click here for how government works) on the eve of publishing the new rest rules. Lobbyists coming out of the wood work, and it looks like it will get delayed to fit in some "extra special exemptions" that I always knew would happen.

Don't shape you life on a rule that isn't even here yet, and one that we won't know the final result of for some time. If you're that concerned, transfer to one of the programs that are most likely to get an exemption (read that as, who has deep lobbying pockets?).

ERAU, UND, and other big aviation colleges are a good bet. Have you considered serving your country after college?

If you're really curious as to what it is, PM me. But the FAA has no stance on it, whereas, the military clearly does.

Now, back on topic...

Wolf - just my two cents as my situation maybe helpful for you...

I graduated from ERAU in 2009 (didnt do my flight training there because it was simply to expensive) when I graduated I had 300 TT and 50 multi with com multi / instrument... however, because of my loans for school and flying I quickly ran out of money to fly... sadly i just now have saved enough money up to start flying again... after 2 years... not saying every situation is like mine but if I had to do it over again... I would go to allatp pay the 60k and get all my ratings done... go instruct (must admit I never wanted to instruct) get on with a regional... and do your school online... you'll have plenty of time in boring airports / trips / hotels to get it done... IMHO