Gregg,
Welcome to the forums and thanks for posting! I have never been to Thailand, but would defiently like to visit someday. Now is definetly the time to begin flight training. Those who train now and build their experience will be the first to be hired by the airlines when things turn around. Those who wait will be hired much later, simple as that. I am glad that you are exploring your options and looking at alot of different schools. Make sure you ask as many questions as possible when talking to the admissions counselors. Some things to consider are:
Is the price a fixed price or based on an estimate of flight time? If it is based on an estimate there is a strong possibility that the estimate is way too low.
How much time is in multi engine airplanes? Airlines really value this time and it can be difficult to get.
How long will the program take?
If you are later hired as an instructor are there any contracts you must sign?
Is housing included?
These are just a few questions that I would really hit hard with every flight school. As far as being accelerated is concerned, ATP is definetly fast, no doubt about it, but it is manageable and alot of people do well in the program. I finished in exactly 90 days and passed every checkride on the first attempt. If you do have to repeat a checkride it really is not that big of a deal. In most cases the student receives 1-2 hours of retraiing and then takes the checkride again, you definetly do not have to start all over on that section of the course. All of that being said, nobody wants you to take a checkride before you are ready. It looks badly for your instructor and the school if somebody fails a checkride, thus they will try to get you as ready as possible before you take the ride.
Feel free to ask as many questions as you like, that is what I am here for. I look forward to working with you as you explore this new career oppritunity!
Chris
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