Ref your concerns about vatsim, they have pilot mentoring, wealth of info on their forums for new starters, all free etc. many airports have special training days with online help etc. you can log on as observer and pick things up etc.

 

I wouldn't waste my money on any of the ATC software program's, they all unrealistic and clunky in my opinion. If you want to fly in a very real environment, see other traffic, and really get to test you flying skills out as you get integrated with other traffic then get on vatsim.

 

So go get fs2crew, it very good, and very helpful actually for when flying online and you got a load of things to do all at once.

FS2Crew, although you will spend longer in the 'plane.

Before, I would have it set up in a few minutes, now I have to wait for passengers to board, and my wife thinks (knows)

I've gone crazy talking to the PC

I'm looking to purchase either Radar Contact or FS2Crew for the PMDG 737. I can't decide which one I will enjoy more...From what I understand both are incredible add-ons and definitely will have a learning curve. But just how good is RC?? From my research I've noticed it has a few bugs and I'm kind of familiar with its setup (loading SID/STAR into FSX format etc..). So, if you had to purchase one, what would it be?

i don't see any reason why not use vatsim, by far the best ATC you can get plus real flying experience, yes you'll need to know how to communicate, but hey its part of the fun. fs2crew is fantastic program, i had doubts in the past not anymore, in fact i can't without her. good luck.