Great topic geisha.
After school I got a job flying a fork lift in a warehouse and saved enough for the ppl then took out a personal loan to do the cpl and ME IR. While I was doing the flying (part time on weekends and holidays) I was still doing the store work to pay off the loan. Was lucky enough,(probably should read persistant) to get my first job on a twin dropping skydivers and the rest took care of itself. Personal loans are expensive when you consider the repaid amount but for me to have saved the amount to complete the training would have taken far too long. I agree with High Altitude, those who have done s@it jobs for ages to save for the flying generally are more motivated to make it happen. Have seen people who have been GIVEN the whole lot up to ATPL only to throw it in because it was too hard to keep looking for work. This is just my experience, Im sure there are heaps of comitted guy/girls out there who didnt pay there own way also.
Best of luck geisha, which ever path you take.
