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The European model. They train students from the beginning to be airline pilots.
But then they end up in the middle of the South Atlantic at night unable to fly without technology.
The outcome is less than stellar.
The USA model up until now has always been the uphill model, where pilots must pay their due while building hours. Lots of potential debt with little offsetting income. Without another source of income (spouse), it is a lifestyle only the truly dedicated could survive.
The payoff is landing a slot with the majors which in the last two years have substantially upped the ante for first officers pay.
Actually, now is the best time to be looking for an aviation job in the last twenty years.
Yes, there is tremendous expensive leading to a good job. It always requires a four year degree in addition to the expensive of earning an ATP rating.
The FAA in response to the accident in Buffalo has changed the minimum entry experience for First Officers in the regionals. They now have to play by the same rules as the majors.
Just to take the ATP written exam now requires experience in a simulator (or real airplane) with weights over 42K lbs. That of course would be a lead in to "type rating" style training, similar to the training required in the airlines.
So in the last two years, things have changed.
A surge in oil prices could change the picture rapidly, as it has in the past.
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