In a really tight position what should i do ATP FLIGHT SCHOOL?

Question

OK look i just graduted from highschool on june 20th of 08 and i got a baby on the way and i wanted to go to the atp FLight school but i need car too because mine is not family car. and i still want to go to college so what should i do? i was really thinking of not going to college and just joining the atp flight program but is that a bad idea it cost 62K with the added private pilot program. and i got a baby on the way and need a new car;; really dont know what to do. need some advice.

Answer 1

Honestly, starting in aviation and starting a family at the same time is a terrible mix.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  You're realistically looking at a lot of debt - flight school plus college.  Yes, you'll still need college if you want to advance your career in aviation beyond entry level.  You'd be lucky to break $30k in the next 5 years.  That's a single bedroom apartment split with a roommate while you're paying off loans salary, not a support a family salary, not to mention your schedule will be terrible at best for the next 10 years.

Once you decided to start a family, you can't chase your own dreams if they aren't compatible with supporting your family financially and physically.  Unless you have family in the area to help you raise your baby and pay for your housing and training, I'd think about a different direction.  Sorry I can't tell you what you want to hear, but that's reality.

Answer 2

Get your priorities straight.  Take care of your family.  Get a car.  Go to college.  Get a job and save every penny you can.  After all that is finished, then think about going to ATP, or any other flight school.

Pilots with thousands of hours in heavy equipment are a dime a dozen these days.  Thus, airlines need ways to weed out all of the applications they get.  The first thing they do is throw away the ones who don't have 4 year college degrees, unless you happen to have a close relative who works there that can pull strings for you.  Plus, many people wind up leaving the field to do other things.  Having a college degree in something non-aviation will help greatly if you're ever in that position.

You have many many years to try out the aviation field.  You have more important things to take care of at this point.  Don't throw away everything just to follow one career path right out of high school.  Heck, I flew for the airlines for many years and I didn't take my first flying lesson until I was 23.  Many start much later in life than I did.

Answer 3

You'll have 62k in debt and make 20K/year for the first few years.  Not good if you have a kid.  Plus airlines want you to have a 4 year degree.  Go to college first, get a job and raise your child.  If you didn't have a child then I would say go for it but your life is about to change, the baby comes first, your dreams have to go on the back burner.

Answer 4

Get a job, and take care of your family.

You can work on your Private Pilot's License and move up to being an instructor without going to the ATP flight school.