Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Flight Schools and Training
Alternatives to ATP flight school >

Alternatives to ATP flight school

Notices
Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

Alternatives to ATP flight school

Old 07-23-2017, 07:33 PM
  #1  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Sep 2015
Posts: 666
Default Alternatives to ATP flight school

Hey all,

My buddy is looking at enrolling in a program at ATP in Houston or Smyrna, TN. I've been out of the flight school game for a while, but I know he can get his ratings for cheaper than what ATP charges. Any flight schools / FBOs in either of those areas that anyone would particularly recommend?

Thanks,
Rye
RyeMex is offline  
Old 07-24-2017, 07:23 AM
  #2  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 30
Default

Anson Air in Sugar land, TX
headcase is offline  
Old 07-24-2017, 01:41 PM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
SonicFlyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,573
Default

If time is more important to him than money, then ATP is the best place because they will get him through quick. If money is more important and doesn't need financing, then anywhere other than ATP will work.
SonicFlyer is offline  
Old 08-04-2017, 07:51 PM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
Default

I took a tour of the Houston ATP facility a few weeks ago, was very impressed with the aircraft and staff (less so with the building/facilities)

If money was no issue then I would be signing up, unfortunately I only have about half of the money saved, so will be looking elsewhere.
deftone is offline  
Old 08-05-2017, 01:53 PM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
Default

Originally Posted by deftone View Post
I took a tour of the Houston ATP facility a few weeks ago, was very impressed with the aircraft and staff (less so with the building/facilities)

If money was no issue then I would be signing up, unfortunately I only have about half of the money saved, so will be looking elsewhere.
How do you schedule a tour of ATP?
Student01 is offline  
Old 08-05-2017, 03:24 PM
  #6  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
Default

Originally Posted by Student01 View Post
How do you schedule a tour of ATP?
I just emailed and asked. The admissions coordinator that I was dealing with was called Greg. Was very helpful in arranging everything.

His email is [email protected]
deftone is offline  
Old 08-07-2017, 04:53 PM
  #7  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: May 2016
Posts: 57
Default It's the admission office.

Originally Posted by deftone View Post
I just emailed and asked. The admissions coordinator that I was dealing with was called Greg. Was very helpful in arranging everything.

His email is [email protected]
I can't emphasize enough how you have to do your homework and read all the posts about ATP School. Be advised and don't let them fool you about the best connections they may have.
BarbaPapa is offline  
Old 08-10-2017, 08:13 PM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
Default

Originally Posted by BarbaPapa View Post
I can't emphasize enough how you have to do your homework and read all the posts about ATP School. Be advised and don't let them fool you about the best connections they may have.
I ended up deciding against ATP, will most likely go with American Flyers but still have not made my final decision. I may go with Anson Air if they can provide the scheduling I require.
deftone is offline  
Old 09-19-2017, 08:32 AM
  #9  
On Reserve
 
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 22
Default

I am a student at FlightSafety Academy and I recommend them. Some of my fellow students actually left ATP and have transferred into our school...
Nunavut is offline  
Old 09-22-2017, 05:10 PM
  #10  
Line Holder
 
Pokeysrider's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 71
Default Becoming a commercial pilot

Neither fsster nor cheaper equal better. It is very important to interview the potential providers. And yes, I did say interview,
I found that ATP is very different from location to location. At KAPA, while holding a private certificate with instrument privileges two years ago, I asked the young CFI how long he had been working for ATP. He looked at his watch and said about 18 hours. He said he hoped I would sign up and he also said that as I was a (then) 900 hour pilot, he could learn a lot from me.
As an aside, at that time, it was mandatory ATP SOP to descend to TPA 10 miles out, when returning from the SE practice area. I appreciated the CFI's candor, but I sure as heck took my money to some place other than a diploma mill for my comm & instructor ratings. I understand that they do have some facilities that are better (I've the products of them), but it is all on the luck of the draw, as each CFI at ATP (and most other bigger schools) is only there to achieve his/her ATP minimums and move up to a regional.
To the original poster, find some personal help in deciding on a school and don't rely on the recruiters. You can PM me if you wish, I'd be glad to help.
I'm sure sonicflyer may gotten a good ATP education, maybe even at KAPA, as I see he has a proclivity for talking about how harmless a little ganja can be. Just 🤡ing around, nothing personal intended.
Pokeysrider is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
j3cub
Allegiant
6367
12-20-2020 08:01 AM
jmt7599
Flight Schools and Training
38
03-03-2018 04:02 AM
Ultralight
Regional
88
06-27-2013 10:06 AM
MX727
Cargo
220
06-26-2013 11:17 AM
bqmassey
Flight Schools and Training
4
02-02-2007 05:03 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices