Got my private in early '73, then quickly moved through Commercial, CFI, Instrument (back then you could be CFI w/no instrument), Multi, CFIAI, ATP. All this was enabled by my use of the GI Bill which paid for 90% of the training, after the private (Private cost me $700). In '73-76 you could work as a CFI until they had to carry you out of the airplane. Long days & short nights. Lots & lots of VN vets (& pre VN era) were using GI bill to fly back then.

Haven't flown in a couple of years now.

...and, we were married IN an airplane!

Also, our frequent NAT poster, Gary from Easter IA flew in the USAF.