Training decision

[gallileo]

Hello

I am looking for opinions on whether spending 50K+ on a school like Pan-Am or 25-30K+ for a good FBO typ school.
I am almost through my Private training and I am researching schools (and lenders) but I feel a little unsure about what rout to take. I am 33 and have been completely in love with aviation since my first flight in 1992. I began training, gaind twentysomeodd hrs but I put flying on the back burner because I needed to attend to the details of my divorce .
My best friend started flying when I did and I have watched him go through the intire gamut of CFI-135 freight flying 421s, DC-3s-Aerostars-Metroliners-Hawker FO to Falcon FO for Flight Options. Through him I have been able to understand the industry somewhat and I think I don't want to miss the opportunity to fliy the wide variety of smaller planes solo doing the part 135 freight dog thing for a while. However, I am -ahem- a little older now and I wonder if I should choose Pan-Am (or please suggest othes) because I can move into the airlines quicker because of considerations like buying our( new wife) first home and starting a family sooner than possible in the always on call lower pay scale world of on demand freight.
I would appreciate any and all insight into these issues
Thanks
Gallileo

PS. Oh by the way, after carefule cosideration I have decided for many reasons that I will absolutely not consider PFT

 

[uscpilot]

Gallileo,
Check out the "What would you do?" thread in this forum. I have a feeling that it can answer some of your questions. I just dont want to repeat a lot of what has just been said. If that doesnt help I will be glad to tell you why you shouldnt go to Pan Am, or any other over priced academy.
Good Luck!!

 

[gallileo]

Thanks USC

I just checked out that thread as you suggested and it was very informative. However, I did not get a sense of all of the draw backs(if any) to going with schools like Airman Flight School in OK for 21K or Soell Aviation in FLA for approximately the same price.
What's the instructor market like out there right now? How will I get more multi time? Do the airlines look at larger flight school students with more favor? How much multi and total time do I need to get into the freight operators with turbines? ATP does look fairly atractive with all that multi time and fast pace. I never had ground school for my private written but will self study with King or Sporty's videos do the trick for everything else? what are the chances of getting a good job at a decent starting pay out of Pan-Am et all? What is considered decent starting pay with the regionals?----Whew!

 

[uscpilot]

Gallileo,
I know little about Airman or Soell, however I am sure somebody on this board does. However if you can get all your ratings including CFI, II, and MEI, for 21000 that definatly deserves consideration. I would recomend that you go to a school that offers an accelerated program, due to your situation. An FBO will take the longest. That being said I would not expect to finish in 90 days like ATP advertises. I think 4 to 5 months is a good time frame.
I woudl also recomend that you use your friend as a resource and if you can take him with you when you tour the schools.
As far as larger flight schools being favored, there are agreements that exist between passanger and cargo airlines, and schools like Pan Am, and Flight Safety. They will take applicants from these programs with lower times. Is it worth the extra 20000 dollars? If you get your ratings from a less expensive program you will have to instruct a little longer to be competitive. But it will not keep you from being hired if you didnt go to Pan Am.
The more multi time you have the better. Since you want to move quickly you should try to instruct at a school that does a lot of twin time. That means you will likely have to do your training there. That makes schools like ATP or Ari Ben Aviator attractive since they cost less than Pan Am but do almost all of their training in twins.
As far as the ground schools for writtens I agree that you can do the prep your self. However if you choose a large school its a moot point since ground school is included in the cost.
As far as the job market for instructors I cant give a good answer since I have not instructed in about 2 years. However given the glutt of out of work pilots and the lack of job openings out there I think instructor jobs may be a little hard to come by. Im not trying to discourage you just trying to be realistic. And pilot "pay", well whenI was an instructor (pre 9-11 mind you) in 2000 I cleared $14000 . Ouch!! That is low even for instructors though you still should get close to 15 or 16 thousand. Hope you like Ramen noodles .
First year with a commuter is not much better, 25 thousand tops (I think, being a freighter I am not an expert on commuter pay). If you choose part 135 you can make more. With my company the starting pay is about 25 thousand, but most make more, and floaters make about 50 thousand. The draw back is that you will be in a prop for a long time flying single pilot. Also by the time you get 1200 hours (135 min) the industry will likely have change or be in a transition. Dont know if it will be positive, but I have my fingers crossed. Over the next year or two the canceled checks that we fly will stop due to electronic transfers. So a commuter may be your only option.
Keep the questions coming, and hopefully some other guys can chime in and give you some good advice.
Good Luck
PS I must commend you on deciding not to PFT