Guys, get your PPL first and then do your hour building over the next couple of years. I dont think you could start your ATPL studies until you have your PPL anyway.
Just concentrate on becoming a pilot first and think about being an airline pilot later on when the industry picks up. You will get much more benefit from your hour building if you take your time, fly a few different aircraft and make some decent trips into Europe, rather than just getting it all out the way in a few weeks in one aircraft. This will only make you a better pilot.
The hour building is IMHO one of the most important aspects of flight training and is where you learn to be 'in command'. It is also the part which is most overlooked by people as just being an obsticle to get out the way as quickly and cheaply as possible.
What is the point of having a fresh fATPL with 250 hours if there are no jobs and lots of experienced pilots looking for work. If you have your PPL some decent hours (Dont just stop when you get to 100) the exams out of the way and some money saved then when the industry does pick up your ready to go. A CPL/IR will not take too long and your not going to miss out on anything. You will however have saved money by not having to keep current and be fresh for your sim sessions when you start getting interviews.
Get a PPL, Get a cheap share, get on with the exams and most importantly enjoy the flying.
