Originally Posted by
sigtauenus
I've been compiling a "to-do" list and incorporating expenses.
Here's some of it.
ATP written
All ATP's - $295 for prep and exam
Sheppard - $75 prep, $90 for exam at lasergrade
Dauntless - $24.99 prep, $90 for exam at lasergrade
Ditto above for FE written
FAA 1st class - $90 with local AME
FCC license -$60
Professionally prepared resume and cover letter - $150
joining airline apps $54.95
joining Air Inc $199
Air Inc job fairs $175
Interview prep $300
decent suit $400
737 type rating $7000
Now, I'm a fairly smart guy, and I am pretty savvy with studying on my own, computer based training, microsoft products, etc. With that in mind, I have no problem generating my own resume from a good template or studying on my own for the ATP or FE written. The question becomes, how much am I willing to gamble my future career on by being cheap?
I spent roughly $60,000 of my own and taxpayer (ROTC scholarship) on my first career because I needed a college degree, and the degree itself did nothing for my career other than meeting a pre-req and some base-line skills I've used (such as math, how to write, etc).
Considering I'll probably spend at least twice as much time in this next career as I did in the first, I have no problem dropping $10,000 if it will make a difference, but the key point is make a difference. Is the extra $50 for sheppard's ATP prep software worth it over dauntless, is the extra $150 for all ATP's worth it over sheppard? Is it worth it to pay $150 for a professional resume and cover letter that others on this board could write in their sleep but that I might struggle with and end up with something tossed in the trash by HR.
I've seen many debates on here about the 737 type rating. Suppose I get it but say I end up at Delta on the MD-88 or 757 instead. Being a military fighter guy, is it a waste of money if I can show up to training at Delta with 2 weeks more experience of classroom, CRM, and sim experience that I wouldn't have had otherwise even if its on a different airframe? Once you're hired you still need to pass the training. I don't look at it as a waste if the experience I get at HPA even marginally helps me get through Delta's initial training even if I never fly a 737 in my life.
What about some of the other stuff, like Air Inc? Is the package worth it? I guess I could cheap out with airline apps and submit a bunch of individual apps for free, but my time is worth more than $54 for the 2 hours it takes me to fill each one out.
Am I off-base here, a sucker for anybody with a sales pitch?
Where you can go cheap...
Written prep and testing. There's no difference. I used ATP a few years back because I didn't know about the other choices and didn't want to study the Gleim phonebook.
737 type. Unless SWA is your #1 choice and you'd even leave another major for them. Hiring and upgrades have slowed way down. I'd try and get interviewed without the type. You already know how to fly. Crew concept stuff isn't that difficult to get adjusted to. However, if you don't have your ATP and do have access to the GI Bill, a type course is an economic way to knock out both for about the same cost as getting your ATP only. Without the GI Bill, I'd do the ATP at a smaller school for a couple of grand.
Don't join Air Inc., waste of money. You can get the info on the web these days. At the most, split an online membership with someone. I would recommend attending at least one job fair though. I had a mil only friend do so in DC and he learned from the experience.
Resume and cover letter. There are numerous examples around. Most airlines don't even take cover letters due to online apps. I haven't used one in years. PM me you email and I'll send you my resume that got me interview invites at 3 airlines.
Where to spend money.
Suit. You need to look good at the interview but don't go crazy. Men's wearhouse will suffice, plus you can use it for other occasions and day one of new hire training.
Interview prep. Highly recommended if you haven't interviewed at an airline before. I recommend Emerald Coast across the board. Adam Hughes does prep too but is more well know for UPS candidates. They both get the job done.
Airine Apps.Like you said, if you're interested in more than one company they represent, it's worth the $ to save typing the same info over and over.