Whirlygig. Here in Australia we study for our ATPL as part of a degree in Aviation which takes us 4 years-with that we graduate with the frozen CASA ATP and +- 200 hours. Just like a Doctor does 5 years theory then 2 years as an intern to get his Medical Licence we have to build our hours up to 1500 which takes roughly 2 years too in order to get our full ATPL. A doctor takes 7 years, doing it my way takes about 6....not much of a difference from my point of view.
I do agree that getting into med school is more difficult than flight school but thats the reason as to why flight school has a higher drop out rate.
Ok, i'm ready to get kicked around now
