I priced the FBO's, and yes, they were much less expensive.
How much less expensive? $5k? $10k?
What is ATP's program costing you now, $54,995?
I suggest you look at the current state of the industry. Look at how many Regionals have stopped hiring. Sure, there are still companies hiring with low flight time, but there is a reason for that, because nobody wants to work there and they're leaving just as fast as they come in.
I don't care if the FBO route will save you $5k or $10k. I bet you that you would save
over $15,000 by going the FBO route. And you could pay out the money over an extended period of time.
My personal opinion is, that the current state of the industry is not something you want to rush into with $70k+ in loan debt (if you take a loan) unless you've always dreamed of flying for Colgan or Mesa. You may find yourself back on the street just as fast as you rushed in, only now with a plastic card, a logbook with less than 10 pages filled and even worse - a $700 monthly payment.
I think the smart thing to do right now, is take your time getting your ratings and spend as little money as possible. Things are NOT the same as they were 3 years ago when ATP was only a few grand above the FBO route and the Regionals were hiring like nuts. You can reduce your debt load and hopefully by the time you have enough flight time to apply to the Airlines, the industry will have turned around and hiring will pick up again and you can get on with a
good company.
When I did ATP in '05 they were priced $6k higher than my local FBO and it was the start of the Regional hiring wave. I got lucky and caught the wave at the right time, but even still I am nervous as all hell right now with the way this industry and economy are.
I think you'll be disappointed in 90 days my friend. Just my opinion, but you said opinions welcome.
Note - Let me just say that I am in no way putting down ATP's training. I think they have a good training program and no doubt is it a great school. I just think this is a bad time for a fast-track-pile-you-in-debt program.