I would suggest geting a degree cause the only way you are going to make any good money in the airlines is if you have a degree!  Delta connection is a good choice but you mite also want to look at Flight Safety Academy(FSI).  Just really try hard and get a degree in aviation Sci. or anything in aviation!  GOOD LUCK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RayMaswju1A

Very true!!!  Watch and enjoy

As Gary said you wont save any money buying your own plane unless you are planning on flying 200+ hours a year.  I am also kind of in your position to.  I am looking to get my private soon (working on my Sport right now) and my CFI said I should think about leasing to my local flying club.  I think I mite lease a 152 just for training not for owning.  But you also mite want to look at Sport Pilot.  It is allot less cheaper but there is allot more limitations.  For purchasing an LSA I would purchase an CT.  www.flightdesign.com
Good Luck,
Neal..

Here you go, I'll make it nice and short.  When on downwind get at pattern alt and your pattern speed.  Trim for a level flight and if you might want to set the approach flaps down.  Then the rest is very basic.  Oh, and the reason the pattern is so short now is because of heavy traffic.  you cant have people doing the long pattern and the short pattern at the same time.  this calls for mid-air collision.  Also watch for IFR traffic while your in the pattern.  they wont be on the CTAF right away because they will be delayed by ATC.

No, but would help out.  You can go to flight schools and earn your degree in flight sci.  But before going into flight school it would be great to have atleast some of your basics like math and so on done before you start flying.

Sry I am little late but Falcon sounds best for your position.  I know that you want to get you commercial and you want be a CFI for commercial with at least 400 hours of flight time for a good paying airline job.  But if you can be a cfi and make money instructing that is also good.  Or even fly for charter would be great for building hours which eventually would build up to your hiring as a airline pilot.
GOOD LUCK,
Neal..

I could not say it better than you.  I am trying to get my Sport Pilot right now but I have already been looking at different flight schools.  FSA is one of them.  Some flight schools give you a degree in flight sci and some don’t.  I think you are better off with the degree than  just the certificate when it comes to airlines hiring you.  But all looks good and I think that FSA might be my top choice for flight school.

Hey everyone,
My name is Neal.  I live in Des Moines, Iowa and i am currently working on getting my Sport Pilot licens.  I fly the CTSW which is the best LSA out their.  My goal is to get my Sport this year and in 2008 get my private and by 2009 have my Commercial.  I want to goto Western Michigan Unviresty and be hired out of their for the Airlines.  Many say i have a busy life ahead of me but i can do it.  I have flight times in some aircraft. C150, C172, Cirrus SR22 G2, and the CTSW LSA.  I hope to learn from everyone in this forum and mabey see couple at a fly-in or two.
Talk to you all soon,

CTflyer....
AKA(Neal)