Satchel,
Most people are intimidated by the loan. I was too when I decided that this was what I wanted to do.
This is something that you’re going to have to figure out on your own. I can give you some things to consider, but you have to figure out what’s best for you.
Some people are ready to take out the loan and start from zero. Other people prefer to tread cautiously before making the commitment. I fell into the more cautious category. I received my PPL before enrolling. Though I wouldn’t say it was “advantageous” as you put it, but it was the right choice for me. Again, not saying it’s the right choice for you. Just giving you some things to think about.
So, why was it right? It allowed me to not only pay as I went, but also have more time to assimilate the information. The consequence of this approach is that I had to unlearn some bad habits when I got to ATP. I also ran the risk of extending the length of my PPL training or never finishing it. So, if you end up getting your PPL outside of ATP, make sure to scope out the school thoroughly and hold yourself accountable for your progress.
The other things to consider is your age. More on that below.
Here are some articles from the FAQ section you should read. After reading them, you should have a good sense of what to do next.
https://airlinepilot.life/t/how-do-i-become-an-airline-pilot/10891/2
https://airlinepilot.life/t/questions-for-any-prospective-flight-school/117/14
https://airlinepilot.life/t/am-i-too-old-to-be-an-airline-pilot/8062/2
Tory