RXS676

Hello all,

I’m considering joining the apparently not-so-elite ranks of aspiring airline pilots, and just thought I’d go fishing for comments, suggestions, snide remarks and the like.

I’m 30 years old, single with no responsibilities, a CPA with a degree in accounting, have enough saved to do to Airline Career Pilot Program at ATP. I can go back to crunching numbers if I ever get furloughed, and could probably also work part-time to supplement my income when (if) I am holding a line at a regional airline.

I understand all the benefits of getting the multi-engine time that ATP offers, yet I’m beginning to question the efficiency of the ATP program. Whenever I ask for details of the schedule, ATP representatives tell me “You need to plan to be at the airport all day, every day.” But I really need more justification for how these “all day every day” weeks are going to be spent. For example, I know several people who earned their instrument ratings in 10 days to two weeks when training every day, all day. Yet at ATP the instrument portion is 26 days. Yes, I know their training standards are high and in a multi-engine aircraft. But is it really TWICE as many hours, requiring TWICE as many days to complete? That seems hard to believe.

I am concerned that there is a lot of time wasted sitting around waiting for aircraft and instructor availability. The instructor with whom I had my interview said that his biggest frustration was the scheduling problems prioritizing the 90-day ACPC students with the multi add-ons, ATP prep students, etc.

There also seems to be a lot of unnecessary components included in the price, such as housing (which I don’t need, as I already live near the training location), cross-country lodging (is there really a benefit to flying multi-day trips across the country?) and the flight in the citation, which even ATP’s instructors say is mostly a gimmick. All of these “free” items are, of course, included in the price and make it more expensive that it would be without them.

I know there are many users here with strong opinions about airline flying and about the various schools and academies, and would appreciate any insight into all this. Thanks!

Ewfflyer

Here's my take on the "Pilot in a box" program. You might be able to pass the check-rides for all these ratings through their program(with their examiners), but when you come out to the real world it could be a little different.

Now, honestly one of the best things they do have you do are those multi-day XC trips. Why, because that's real, it's you and another student taking on the world.

It takes years and hours to be a competent pilot(ok, and tons of money to afford that too!). So my advice is, if you want to fast-track it, go for it, but realize that there is more to learn after you go through these magical pilot programs. Become a CFI and try to teach flying, there's where you really start to learn.

Slice

There are two ratings you don't want to 'min run' or skimp on. That is your PPL and your instrument rating. They will form the foundation that you will build the rest of your career upon. Do you just want to pass the checkride or do you want to pass, understand, and retain the skills just taught to you? For IFR training I highly recommend Prairie Air Service. www.prairieairservice.com. Cheaper than ATP and mostly career CFI's teaching there.

sigep_nm

Thank you for saying that. 130 ME hours aint nothing when you cant keep the thing up right in the clouds. You should be on a hiring department so that some of these clowns that fly a twin across the country VFR dont get as much clout as those of us that have 100 actual but only 50 multi. Instrument is sooooo much more important than manipulating an extra throttle. I dont know of prarie services, but I have seen alot of product out of atp in the past and say the least, not impressed.

ImperialxRat

Well, it sounds like you already have a good job. My suggestion would be to continue to work as a CPA, while getting your ratings.

This can be done very rapidly as well, depending on your determination and schedule. Go to your local FBO and talk to some of the instructors....you tell them you want an activity everyday, and i'm sure they would jump to the occasion.

After you finish your ratings, grab your CFI/CFII and instruct part time....get up to whatever your magic number is and apply to regionals.

But if you want the fastest possible way to get to a regional, then I suggest going to ATP (paying very close attention and studying to death so that you actually take something away from there productive). Then you can either buy time, or CFI. Then you will get on with a poor regional and want to shoot yourself, wondering why you ever went into aviation.

(That last part is not entirely accurate, as I've never worked for a regional)

Swass

Try Prairie Air Service. Cheaper than ATP and much better.

Google it and let us know what you think. Multi time is of the essence, there is no cheaper way than here.

Engineer Pilot

Hi Swass,

Are you currently going to Prarie Air Service? Can you tell us more?