flynhighaf23

Lots of good responses here...my 2 cents is don't go to ATP unless you absolutely have no other options. I chose to go there simply because I wanted to get my ratings as fast as I possibly could so that I could get out and go work somewhere else. I'd say get your private then re-evaluate. If you're still wanting to start a second career in aviation as a pilot and want to get ratings quickly then ATP is an option, but don't expect any CFI to help you out along the way. Expect to have a newbie CFI who doesn't know left from right teaching you how to fly and pass check rides. Treat ground school like a 9-5 job and teach yourself and you'll do okay. Just keep in mind that there's a LOT of other schools out there who can give you the same ratings for less money, but they just might take longer if you're not motivated to get done quickly. Hope that helps!

krudawg

>>>> I chose to go there simply because I wanted to get my ratings as fast as I possibly could so that I could get out and go work somewhere else<<<<
That sir, is exactly why people consider going to ATP. They have financing sources lined up and pipelines to regionals. A one stop shopping kind of place. My son will be going there soon - on his own dime (I put him thru college). From my perspective, it's a well-thought out decision.

Whale Driver

ATP's Fast Track Airline Career Pilot Program is not for everyone. However, for a young kid that is highly self motivated, smart, and has at least decent athletic ability (hand/eye coordination) it is by far the best choice out there combined with a college education in anything except aviation.

Most that have problems at the fast track ATP program are missing at least 1 of the 4.

JDSir

Well I read through the thread and from what I got the main pointers are that the school is what it is a fast track program that needs your full dedication.
Second it is pricey but the program is what it is in price terms considering its the fastest way to set in a cockpit. And thirdly you are the customer if you don't like your instructor request a change.


Now I'm currently 17 graduated early but my next step is to go to ATP as soon as I'm 18. Any other pointers anyone might have? I'm in SoCal near LAX if that would make any difference planning on going to the ATP school in Long Beach

bedrock

What you should also get from this thread is to get your pvt elsewhere first so as to gauge your learning ability. If you have never had a flight lesson, you are making a big mistake, because overruns at ATP are VERY expensive. With a PPL under your belt you will be able to ask informed questions and evaluate the program with more understanding. Are you intending to get a college degree? I would say with a CFI you could instruct part time while in college. You might also see if a community college in your area offers private pilot ground school and if you could get college credit for it.

In the end, your pilot aptitude is something you don't know until you try. Don't commit to any multi-rating program until you know your own limitations.

LTdan

HA! Just request a change! Brilliant!

What you need to know about ATP: they don't give a $hit if you don't like your instructor, don't like your schedule, don't like flying a particular aircraft, don't want to fly in stormy weather, ect, ect, ect.

In their eyes you already agreed to let them bend you over any which way they want when you signed on the dotted line on the first day. Your wants and perceived needs interrupts their business cycle, and they won't be having any of that.

As a student at ATP you won't be given awesome customer satisfaction, this isn't like a store at the mall. They will give you exactly what you agreed to get on day 1, no more, and probably less.

Definitely second the idea of getting your ppl somewhere else before making the decision to go to ATP. if you don't even have a ppl, you don't have a good gauge on whether or not flying is for you (I don't care how many times you rode with pops in the 172, you haven't even taken a checkride yet).

In the end, if you think it's smart to dump 60k or more into ATP for something you've never tried, and to try to learn it on their fast track system, good luck, but buyer beware.

flynhighaf23

I totally agree... Just getting the private alone through ATP is double what it should be. You can get a private at 40 hours, they give theirs at 80-90 (roughly). When I was in the program I saw multiple people fail out because they couldn't pass the private check ride. One guy tried three times for private and couldn't pass so he quit. He has almost 100 hours, spent some $15k from his $80k loan and has nothing to show for it but debt to pay off. I'd highly recommend getting a private elsewhere and don't spend over $7k or go over 50 hours trying to get it.

We're all smart here, spending a fraction of the money to try something only to find out you can't hang, don't like it, or just aren't good at it is much better than going balls deep and putting yourself head over heels in debt to pursue a dream that may or may not pan out.

TheWeatherman

Very few people get their private in 40 hours. National average is somewhere around 70 I belive.

Selfmade92

I just finished my Private, looking to continue on my Instrument. Looking through schools in NYC area is annoying as all are expensive. ATP is actually one of the more affordable ones.

Having the PPL done and continuing Instrument to CFI Multi would be 49,999 according to ATP, how many actually make it with 50k? They say it's more than minimum advertised.

I'm just trying to see if there are any tricks by them I should be aware of.

One catch which turned me off is that I need to have 80h, kind of discouraging since I finished my Private with 45h.

Also how does the Fast Track Programme work? How many days per week do you have to go? I can spare 3 days per week, the others I'm in school and work.

I like the fact that I can get ATP done within the year while I still have 2 years left in college. Meaning I could already start building hours as a CFI and as soon as I graduate college I could be done and ready to go.

TheWeatherman

Fast track program is 6 to 7 days a week, at least two lessons a day. Expect devote at least 12 hours a day flying and studying.