Originally Posted by
rickair7777
You cannot "earn" an ATP while acting as SIC...an ATP certificate is like any other cert, and you earn it the same way. To earn the ATP you need to meet the requirements of part 61.15X, fill out an 8710, and take a checkride. Anyone can take this checkride if they meet the requirements, you do not even have to work for an airline or be a professional pilot.
You could do it out in town in a seminole with a local DPE, or your airline could give you an ATP checkride in a level D sim. It would be easy for the airline, since the ATP checkride is little more than an airline PC...it could be done on your regularly schedule PC with a company DPE. It all depends on your company as to whether they will go to the trouble or make you blow $3K out in town.
The bill says YOU have to have an ATP...it does not say the airline has to provide it.
But I wouldn't worry just yet...wait and see what the senate version of the bill looks like, and how they reconcile that with the house version.
I had an FAA inspector in the jumpseat once told me he showed up for a 121 ATP/Type ride, and the applicant had lots of sic time, and total, and met all the requirements, but didn't have the 250PIC. He sent him home and told him to go rent a cessna. So SIC time in your 121 aircraft doesn't mean anything towards the PIC requirement. So if you're a low time pilot and plan to upgrade in the next ??? years, better review your log book, and make sure you got it before doing all the training, and showing up for your ride.