Path to the regionals
 

I've tried posting a similar question on the flight school thread, but since most people on their are either looking for a school or just starting I figured this would be a better place to get info.

I received my training in the military, have my single and multi commercial instrument ratings and am looking at some of the ATP schools and Epic as a way to get my CFI and required hours. There are lots of advertisements out there right now about TSA and others reimbursing and "guaranteeing" contracts through those schools. Is there anyone currently in the regionals who went this route or can speak to the legitimacy of the above? Any info would help,

Thanks!

Current ATP instructor here. The tuition reimbursement is actually a great thing. Most of the airlines on the reimbursement side are requiring 2 year contracts.

Make sure that ATP is willing to just do CFI school for you. They stopped doing short programs a few months back because of the demand that they had for the career program. Not a bad decision, IMO. Wasn't for me because I got cornered into only being able to sign with Mesa, so not really a good option. You should have more available to you.

Feel free to private message me with more questions.

How far are you from the R-ATP mins?

About 1000 hrs

Don't do it. You already have a commercial certificate. The CFI will be pretty quick. If you are willing to move to Arizona, Texas, Florida, or California, you will find tons of schools that will pay you to instruct. No point in getting attached to a particular regional when ALL of them will hire you as soon as you get 750 hours TT. There are tons of flight schools that would love to have a CFI. Some are paying for CFII and MEI if you commit to a contract. A flight school in Florida is even paying for your CFI as well if you have a college degree (which I imagine you do).

jmt, are you a military pilot? If so, restricted ATP is 750 TT.

Absolutely this. I was thinking that you didn't qualify for that, but if so, GO FOR IT. Much better to do it that way.

Let me rephrase my question, what's your TT?

Thats good to know. I was contacted by Epic down in Florida but I wanted to shop around to see if that was the best option. That also would probably commit me to TSA (not sure yet if that's where I want to be or not). Any suggestions for schools in AZ or TX who would be a good start toward one of the west/northwest regionals?

Still short of the 750TT, need a few hundred more hours.